Patent Application
20050241972
The present invention relates to a carrying case that includes a storage compartment that is selectively accessible, wherein an item carried therein may be easily and quickly obtained when needed. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a resiliently deflectable tab that supports a bottom surface of the item, wherein deflection of the tab will facilitate removal of the item from the compartment.
Carrying cases for items, such as electronic devices, are used to protect the delicate componentry of the electronic device and to free a user's hands. For the purposes of this specification, “electronic device” shall refer to cellular phones, calculators, tape players, PDAs, CD players, MP3 players, etc. Further, as technology advances, electronic devices are becoming smaller.
One disadvantage with carrying cases known in the art it is often difficult to access smaller items. It is more distinctly illustrated by the example of trying to find a small electronic device inside a briefcase. Often carrying pockets in briefcases or suitcases are constructed for larger items, wherein smaller electronic devices, such as cellular phones, are easily misplaced, thus making it difficult for the user of the briefcase to find the item when needed. This problem may cause distractions to the individual, for example when driving, that may be dangerous to the public at large. Carrying cases do exist that are adapted to secure small items. However, some of these cases are equipped with opening pockets, wherein the entire containment area is exposed, thus possibly allowing the items carried therein to fall out. In addition, these cases often do not provide for a way to facilitate removal of a single item.
Thus, it is a long felt need in the field of storage devices to provide a carrying case that is equipped with a mechanism that allows for the selective removal of a single item carried therein, that is inexpensive to construct. The following disclosure describes an improved method of facilitating removal of items inside the carrying case that includes a resiliently deflectable tab that aids in the extraction of items carried within the carrying case.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a carrying case that is adapted to secure an electronic device and provide easy access thereto. One embodiment of the present invention includes a selectively accessible compartment that facilitates the extraction of the electronic device held therein.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method and mechanism for facilitating the removal of electronic device stored within the selectively accessible compartment. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a resiliently deflectable tab interconnected to the selectively accessible compartment, wherein the tab provides a resting surface for the electronic device. Upon deflection of an end of the tab out of the compartment the support surface is deflected or retracted upward, thus forcing the item carried within to be at least partially ejected from the compartment to provide easy access thereto.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a carrying case that is constructed from commonly used materials, thus inexpensive to construct. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is fabricated from nylon, cloth, leather, or any other compliant material known in the art. In addition, the carrying case of one embodiment of the present invention is constructed by methods generally used in the art, preferably stitching and gluing. Portions of the storage compartment may be selectively interconnected together with a zipper, for example. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other selectively interconnection devices, such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, clasps, latches, etc., may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, one embodiment of the present invention includes a device that is adapted for selective interconnection to a users belt. In a related aspect of the present invention, the storage compartment may be adapted for interconnection to storage cases of a larger magnitude, wherein it may be interconnected to the inner surface of a briefcase, for example. As described herein, and which will be shown in more detail below, the carrying case of one embodiment of the present invention secures small electronic devices. However, as it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be scaled and used for any type of device that a resiliently deflectable tab is capable of supporting.
Thus, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a carrying case which comprises:
The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments.
To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
Referring now to
The selectively accessible compartment 4 of one embodiment of the present invention is interconnected to a secondary compartment 18 that is adapted to secure other items generally used with the electronic device 10. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the selectively accessible compartment 4 may be used alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first panel 6 and the second panel 8 generally define a storage volume for the electronic device 10. Preferably, one embodiment of the present invention employs a second panel 8 that is generally rectangular and is defined by an exterior edge. This embodiment of the present invention also employs a first panel 6 that is also generally rectangular defined by an exterior edge, wherein the right, bottom, and left edges of the two panels are interconnected, preferably by stitching, to define a compartment with inner walls to secure the electronic device 10. One skilled in the art will appreciate upon review of this specification that a lower surface is not generally required, because, as will be described below, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 provides sufficient support to the electronic device 10.
The resiliently deflectable tab 12 of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably a rectangular section of webbing of a predetermined length that includes the first end 14 and the second end 16. Preferably, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 also includes a securing mechanism 20 that is adapted to selectively interconnect with a mating securing mechanism on an outer surface of the first panel 6. The other end of the resiliently deflectable tab 12 is preferably interconnected to the inner surface of the first panel 6, wherein a portion of the predetermined length of the resiliently deflectable tab 12 is operably interconnected to the inner surface of the second panel 8 of the compartment 4, thereby ensuring that the resiliently deflectable tab 12 remains in the center of the second panel 8. In use, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 will define a support surface 22 for holding the electronic device 10, wherein the first panel 6 and the second panel 8 provide support in the other directions. In addition, to prevent the electronic device 10 from slipping out of the compartment 4, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 folds over the electronic device 10 and may be selectively interconnected to the outer surface of the first panel 6. Thus, the storage compartment supports the electronic device 10 in all directions. Although as shown herein, the resiliently deflectable tab 12 is shown interconnected to the inner surface of the first panel 6, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanism and design as shown and described herein may be selectively interconnected to the second panel 8, wherein a portion of the resiliently deflectable tab 12 is interconnected to the front panel 6.
As shown herein, the selectively adjustable compartment 4 is interconnected to a secondary compartment 18 that secures batteries, cigarettes, pens, pencils, CDs, mini discs, tapes, keys, for example. In addition, a mechanism for interconnection to a user's belt 24 or other article of clothing may be provided. However, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the selectively adjustable compartment 4 may be interconnected to various other carrying devices, such as a briefcase to aid in the access of smaller items carried therein, for example.
Referring now specifically to
In order to remove the electronic device 10, the user simply deflects the second end 16 of the resiliently deflectable tab 12 such that a greater portion of a resiliently deflectable tab 12 is situated outside of the compartment, thus deflecting the support surface 22 to raise the electronic device out of the compartment 4. Upon release of the tab 12, it returns back to its nominal position.
Referring again to
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
