Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to cases and protective covers for electronic devices and, more particularly, to a personal computer retention case having a toggle clip and case sleeve to maintain a personal computer within the case. 
     (2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Portable electronic devices such as personal computers, video game machines and hand held cameras, to name a few, generally have protective cases and covers designed to safely transport and store the respective devices. Generally, the particular electronic device is removed from its protective case or cover when it is desired to use the electronic device. The protective case or cover is then placed in a temporary location from which it is later retrieved for use when the particular electronic device is again ready for transport and/or storage. A common problem associated with such protective cases and covers for electronic devices relates to misplacement and loss of the protective case or cover while the particular electronic device is in use. The foregoing problem has been addressed for hard shell and non-fabric protective cases. For example, non-fabric protective cases for particular electronic devices have been formulated to provide access to the particular electronic device being stored therein such that the electronic device can be operated without removal from its protective case. One such protective case is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,184, entitled Soft Case Protection For A Hand Held Computer, issued Mar. 26, 1991, to Lloyd. However, such cases are often bulky and cumbersome, consuming undesirable amounts of limited space during use. Further, such cases generally have latching or insert structures that are not quickly or easily manipulated when it is desired to separate the electronic device from its protective case. 
     Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved fabric or soft-sided electronic device storage and transport (retention) case capable of removably attaching an associated electronic device when the retention case is open. Further, there remains a need for a quick-release mechanism capable of quickly, reliably and easily removably attaching an electronic device into a protective retention case. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a quick release mechanism for use with a storage and transport case, i.e., retention case, for an electronic device such as a personal organizer. One embodiment of the storage and transport case has an internal insert sleeve or other suitable means for removably and securely receiving one end of the electronic device within the case. Following insertion of the electronic device into the insert sleeve, the opposite end of the electronic device is securely fastened into the storage and transport case via a toggle clip. In this manner, the electronic device and its associated case become a single unit, even when the storage and transport case is opened and the end user is operating the electronic device. The toggle clip can be sized and formulated to work in combination with many different types of electronic devices to removably fasten the respective device into its associated retention case. In one embodiment, a toggle clip assembly includes a mounting base configured to be attached to or within a predetermined retention case. The mounting base has protrusions extending from the underside of the base configured to press fit with a plurality of openings disposed within or through a case base attached to or within an inner portion of the retention case. The mounting base can be removed by applying enough force to overcome the press fit formed between the protrusions in the mounting base and the plurality of openings in the case base. The case base preferably is attached to an inner portion of the retention case using an adhesive or other appropriate bonding technique. The embodiment of the mounting base has a pair of dowel pin anchors disposed on the top side of the mounting base and further has a leaf spring mechanism disposed there between. A toggle clip is configured to be rotatably and removably received between the dowel pin anchors. Following placement of the toggle clip between the dowel pin anchors, the toggle clip is removably and rotatably attached to the mounting base via a dowel pin formulated to slidably press fit into and through dowel pin holes disposed in the dowel pin anchors and the toggle clip. One embodiment of the toggle clip has an L-shape with an integral cam disposed on one end. The dowel pin hole in the toggle clip is disposed through the cam portion of the toggle clip such that rotation of the toggle clip between the dowel anchors also causes the cam to rotate against the leaf spring. The leaf spring is configured to flex downwardly as the cam rotates against it and also has a notch or recess configured to receive a protrusion disposed on the cam such that the cam protrusion can selectively enter or exit the notch as the cam rotates on its associated dowel pin. An audible click is produced when the cam protrusion completes its entry into the notch and the leaf spring snaps back against the smaller portion of the cam. 
     Another embodiment of the storage and transport case includes a platform; a retention sleeve attached to the platform that is configured to removably receive a first portion of a predetermined electronic device; and a toggle clip attached to the platform that is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position to secure a second portion of a predetermined electronic device to a predetermined portion of the platform, such that opposite portions of an electronic device can be securely coupled to the platform by the retention sleeve and the toggle clip when the toggle clip is rotated to a substantially closed position. A fold-over sheath can also be utilized to completely or substantially enclose the platform, retention sleeve and toggle clip, as well as any electronic device retained via the retention sleeve and toggle clip, when the fold-over sheath is folded. The platform, retention sleeve and toggle clip are accessible to insert or remove a predetermined electronic device from the storage and transport case when the sheath is unfolded. 
     As described herein, the present invention includes provision of a retention case for a personal computer such as an electronic organizer wherein the retention case has a quick release mechanism for reliably, easily and quickly attaching and detaching the personal computer to and from the retention case. 
     Further, the invention is suitable for use with both hard and soft retention cases and is light weight and inexpensive to manufacture. 
    
    
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a personal computing device such as a personal organizer attached to an open carrying case via a case sleeve at one end of the device and via a toggle clip at an opposite end of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the case sleeve, toggle clip and toggle clip mounting base depicted in FIG. 1 attached to a common case base to form a unitary device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the case sleeve, toggle clip, toggle clip mounting base and case base illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4A is an enlarged top plan view of the toggle clip mounting base illustrated in FIG. 2 showing an integral leaf spring according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B is an enlarged side elevation view of the toggle clip mounting base illustrated in FIG. 4A showing a leaf spring notch for engaging the toggle clip. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the toggle clip and associated mounting base illustrating the toggle clip having a cam protrusion in a fully open position. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the toggle clip and associated mounting base illustrating the toggle clip in a 30 degree open position depicting deflection of the leaf spring shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the toggle clip and associated mounting base illustrating the toggle clip in a closed position depicting engagement of the toggle clip cam protrusion with the leaf spring notch shown in FIG.  4 B. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
     Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in FIG. 1, a perspective view  100  illustrates a personal computing device  102  (shown in dashed lines) such as a Palm™ or Palm Pilot™ organizer by 3Com Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., attached to an open retention case  104  via a case sleeve  106  at one end of the device  102  and via a toggle clip  108  at an opposite end of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The case sleeve  106  is configured to removably receive a particular type of personal computing device  102  such as a personal organizer. The present invention is not so limited however, and it shall be understood that many other types of shapes can be used to formulate a case sleeve so long as the sleeve is capable of securely and removably receiving the desired personal computing device  102 . Following insertion of the computing device  102  into the case sleeve  106 , the opposite end of the computing device  102  is then securely fastened to the retention case  104  via a latching mechanism, preferably a toggle clip  108 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side elevational view illustrating the case sleeve  106  and toggle clip  108  depicted in FIG. 1 attached to a common mounting base  202  to form a unitary device  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The mounting base  202  can be permanently or temporarily attached to a predetermined retention case  104  that includes a fold-over cover to formulate a unitary device using attachment techniques familiar to those skilled in the art of fastening and bonding materials and methods. The toggle clip  108  is shown in its completely closed position wherein a predetermined personal computing device  102  is securely fastened into the retention case  104 . The unitary device  200  further has a toggle clip base  204  that permits the toggle clip  108  to be rotatably coupled to the mounting base  202 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, a top plan view  300  shows the lateral relationships between the case sleeve  106 , toggle clip  108 , mounting base  202  and toggle clip base  204  illustrated in FIG.  2 . It shall be understood that other lateral relationships can also be used so long as the functional coupling relationship is retained between the ends of the computing device  102  and the computing device retention case  104 . A predetermined set of mounting posts  302  attached to the toggle clip base  204  as well as a predetermined set of mounting posts  304  attached to the mounting base  202  are configured to press fit in one embodiment into a predetermined set of mating holes  306  and  308  configured to removably receive the mounting posts  302  and  304 , respectively. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the toggle clip base  204  has a pair of dowel pin anchors  400  disposed at one end of the toggle clip base  204 . Each dowel pin anchor  400  has a through hole  402  configured to slidably receive a dowel pin  403  therethrough. A leaf spring  404  is disposed between the pair of dowel pin anchors  400 , and has a recess  406  disposed at its outmost extremity. The mounting posts  302  discussed above are seen disposed on the bottom of the toggle clip base  204 . It shall be understood the toggle clip base  204  described herein can be formulated as a unitary device or optionally can be formulated as individual components that arc fastened or coupled together to produce the desired functionality. Further, the embodiments described herein can be formulated using many different materials, e.g., plastics, metals, composites and the like and processes, e.g., molding, casting, forging, and the like. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the toggle clip  108  and toggle clip base  204  illustrating the toggle clip  108  having a cam  500  with a protrusion  502  disposed on one end of the toggle clip  108  in a fully open position. The cam  500  has a through hole  506  configured to slidably receive a dowel pin  403  passing through the dowel pin anchor through holes  402 . The toggle clip  108  is rotatably coupled to and between the pair of dowel pin anchors  400  via the dowel pin  403  slidably received by the through holes  402  disposed in the dowel pin anchors  400  as well as the cam  500  through hole  506 . 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the toggle clip  108  and toggle clip base  204  illustrating the toggle clip  108  rotated approximately in a 30° position away from the horizontal. As the cam protrusion  502  moves against the leaf spring  404 , the leaf spring  404  deflects downwardly away from a horizontal plane formed by the upper surface of the mounting base  204 . The leaf spring  404  is comprised of a material having hysteresis properties such that the flexed leaf spring  40  automatically returns to its original unflexed position when a compressive force exerted by the cam  500  against the leaf spring is removed. A spring tension is thereby exerted by the leaf spring  404  against the cam  500  as the toggle clip  108  is rotated about the axis formed by the dowel pin  403 . 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the toggle clip  108  and toggle clip base  204  illustrating toggle clip  108  in a fully closed position. As the cam  500  completes its rotation to the fully closed position, the cam protrusion  502  completes its entry into the leaf spring recess  406 . Once the cam protrusion  502  has fully entered the leaf spring recess  406 , it can no longer exert a spring force against the leaf spring  404 . The leaf spring  404  will then quickly snap back into its original undeflected position shown in FIG.  5 . The snapping action of the leaf spring  404  will cause the leaf spring  404  to quickly impact the low portion of the cam  500  such that an audible click is created to indicate the toggle clip has securely retained a predetermined personal computer device into the associated retention case. 
     Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, placement of the individual components such as the case sleeve and toggle clip can be altered to function with other types of devices. Also, the shapes disclosed herein can be altered aesthetically or otherwise so long as the desired functional locking characteristics are retained in association with a predetermined device retention case among other things. For example, the shape of the cam  500  including the protrusion  502  can be altered in many ways and still accommodate the functional locking characteristics in association with creation of an audible noise to alert the end user regarding the closing of the toggle clip. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: g