Patent Grant
10470539
The present disclosure relates generally to cases for portable electronic devices, and, more particularly, to a case for housing a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, as well as additional accessories associated with the portable electronic device, such as earphones.
Current portable electronic devices, such as, for example, smartphones and media players, provide a variety of means for audio playback to the user. For example, some devices include integrated speakers. In addition, or alternatively to, many portable electronic devices generally include audio output jack(s) for allowing a user to receive audio playback by way of headphones (also referred to herein as “earphones”) coupled to the audio output jack(s). Accordingly, a user may have a telephone conversation or listen to music by way of headphones coupled to the portable electronic device.
The use of headphones with portable electronic devices may provide numerous benefits and convenience. For example, during an active phone call, headphones may protect the user from radio emissions and, in the event the user is engaged in an activity, such as operating a motor vehicle, headphones further allow the user to drive safely by precluding the need to hold the electronic device to the user's ear while using the electronic device. Similarly, when listening to music, watching a video or playing a game, headphones may generally provide a user with improved audio quality and a sense of privacy.
The use of headphones with portable electronic devices may be cumbersome and a form of frustration for some users, as described in greater detail herein. As generally understood, headphones include a cable portion having a plug at one end (for insertion into female audio jack of the device) and earphones or earbuds (for in-ear type headphone) at the other end. A predetermined length of the cable may not always be optimal or ideal for all users. In some cases, for example, the cable may be much longer than required by a user, and, as such, the user may attempt to manually reduce the length of the cable by winding some portion of the cable around the electronic device. However, winding of the cable around the electronic device may create stress on wires inside the cable and lead to damage. Additionally, the wound cable may interfere with the user's ability to interact with the device.
In addition, when the headphones are not in use and are disconnected from the device, storage of the headphones may be an issue. For example, a user may store the headphones in their pocket or purse or, if in a vehicle, a user may place the headphones in a cup holder or storage bin(s) in the center console or side door of the vehicle. However, the headphones may be loosely stored, such that the cable may become entangled upon itself. As such, in the event that the user wishes to use the headphones, the user is required to manually untangle the headphones, which can be inconvenient and, in certain situations, may be dangerous and pose a serious risk to the user's safety (e.g. if the user attempts to untangle the headphones while operating a motor vehicle). Accordingly, the storage and management of headphones, as well as other cable-based accessories, for a portable electronic device can be tedious and frustrating for a user.
Features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present disclosure is generally directed to a case for a portable electronic device configured to provide protection for the electronic device and further provide storage for one or more corded-accessories for use with the electronic device, including, but not limited to, headphones. The electronic device case includes a case member configured to cover at least a portion of an electronic device and a spool member configured to retain a corded-accessory, such as, for example, a pair of headphones, for use with the electronic device. The spool member includes first and second flange members coupled to one another by a hub disposed therebetween around which headphones may be wound. The case member includes a front cavity shaped and/or sized to receive a portion of the electronic device within and a rear cavity shaped and/or sized to receive the spool member within.
The case member further includes one or more channels defined on a rear portion thereof and in fluid communication with the rear cavity. The one or more channels are configured to receive one or more portions of cord of the headphones when the spool member is loaded (i.e. when the headphones are wound around the spool member) and positioned within the rear cavity. The case member further includes recesses defined on the rear portion and in fluid communication with the one or more channels, the recesses being shaped and/or sized to receive and store earphones within. The case member further includes a channel extending between the rear cavity and the front cavity, such that a portion of headphone cord and plug attached thereto may extend from the loaded spool member into the front cavity and be positioned so as to be received within a female audio jack of the electronic device. The electronic device case may further include a means of retaining the spool member within the rear cavity of the case member.
An electronic device case consistent with the present disclosure provides protection for an electronic device while further providing a means for storing cable accessories for use with the electronic device, specifically storage and management of headphones. The spool member for storing and managing the headphones is configured to be directly integrated with the case member of the electronic device case, thereby further providing a user with access to the headphones at all times without resulting in an overly bulky case and/or hindering the user's ability to interact with the electronic device.
When a user is not in immediate need of the headphones, the spool member, in conjunction with the case member, allows the user to store the headphones in an organized and readily accessible manner. For example, the spool member is relatively simple in design and allows a user to manually wind the headphone cord around the spool and the recesses defined on the rear portion of the case member provide storage for the earphones. The spool member further promotes tangle-free storage the headphones.
Similarly, when a user needs to use the headphones, the headphones are readily accessible for use. Additionally, manual winding of the spool member allows a user to determine the desired length of cord for any particular application. For example, when using a digital audio player, the user may wish to have only a portion of the headphones freely available for use, and to have the remaining portions of the headphones disposed in an organized and readily available fashion. The spool member is configured to limit slack in a cord portion, such that the cord may be less likely to be snagged, which may lead to injury to the device, the user, or otherwise.
Turning to
The case member 12 includes a top portion 16, bottom portion 18 and side portions 20, 22. The case member 12 further includes a front portion (shown in
The case member 12 further includes a rear cavity 28 defined on the rear portion 24. The rear cavity 28 is shaped and/or sized to receive the spool member 14 within. The case member 12 further includes channels 30a, 30b defined on the rear portion 24, wherein the channels 30a, 30b extend from and are in fluid communication with a portion of the rear cavity 28. The channels 30a, 30b extend along the rear portion 24 of the case member 12 and terminate at associated recesses 32a, 32b. As described in greater detail herein, the channels 30a, 30b are shaped and/or sized to receive portions of a headphone cord loaded (e.g. wound) onto the spool member 14 and the recesses 32a, 32b are shaped and/or sized to receive earbuds coupled to ends of the headphone cords.
Although shown as being defined on the rear portion 24 of the case member 12, it should be noted that a cavity for receiving the spool 12 may be defined on other portions of the case member 12, such as the top 16, bottom 18, sides 20, 22 or combinations thereof.
In the illustrated embodiment, the spool member 14 includes a first flange 34 and a second flange 36 coupled to one another by way of a hub 38 positioned therebetween, wherein the hub 38 includes a bore 40 defined therein. The bore 40 may extend entirely through at least the second flange 36 and the hub 38. The bore 38 is shaped and/or sized to receive a protrusion 42 extending from within the rear cavity 28 of the case member 12. As shown, the protrusion 42 may be centrally located within the rear cavity 28 such that the protrusion 42 may provide a means of aligning the spool member 14 with the rear cavity 28 when placing the spool member 14 within the rear cavity 28. Although shown as generally round, the spool 14 can take a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to, square, oblong, oval, triangle, etc.
Referring to
As shown, a channel 48 may be defined within the front cavity 46. The channel 48 generally extends from and is in fluid communication with a portion of the rear cavity 28, as indicated by arrow 50. The channel 48 extends along a length of the front cavity 46 towards the bottom portion 18 of the case member 12 and is in fluid communication with an opening 52 defined on the bottom and front portions 18, 44. As described in greater detail herein, the channel 48 is shaped and/or sized to receive a portion of the headphone cord having a plug attached thereto. The opening 52 is shaped and/or sized to receive and retain the headphone plug in a position so as to be received within a female audio jack of the electronic device. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the opening 52 corresponds to a female audio jack of the electronic device to be received within the front cavity 46 of the case member 12. However, it should be noted that the opening can be defined on other portions of the case member 12 so as to correspond to a female audio jack of a different electronic device. For example, some electronic devices have an audio jack on a top portion. As such, the opening 52 may be defined on the top portion 16 of the case member 12 and, as such, the channel 48 may extend towards to the top portion 16 and terminate at the opening 52.
The case member 12 and spool member 14 may be composed of a resilient and durable material configured to provide protection for the electronic device and accessories. For example, the case and/or spool member 12, 14 may include plastic, metal, wood, rubber, composites, fiberglass, or a combination of any.
As shown, portions of the headphone cord 56 may extend from the spool member 14. In particular, the portions of cord coupled to the earphones 60a, 60b may be positioned within the associated channels 30a, 30b defined along the rear portion 24 of the case member 12 and the earphones 60a, 60b may be received and stored within the associated recesses 32a, 32b. As generally understood, the earphones may be stored within the recesses 32a, 32b when the headphones are not in use, but may allow a user to quickly access the earphones when desired.
Furthermore, another portion of the cord coupled to the plug 58 may extend from the spool member 14. As shown, specifically in
As previously described herein, an electronic device case consistent with the present disclosure may further include a means of retaining the spool member 14 within the rear cavity 28 of the case member 12.
Referring to
As shown, the finger retainer mechanism 62 generally includes a finger retainer member 64 positioned within a channel 66 defined on the rear portion 24 of the case member. The finger retainer mechanism 62 further includes a spring 68 positioned between the finger retainer member 64 and a wall of the channel 66 to provide a biasing force against finger retainer member 64. As described in greater detail herein, the finger retainer member 64 is configured to move from a first position and a second position along a length of the channel 66, as indicated by the bidirectional arrow. When in the first position, as illustrated in
Furthermore, the spool member 14a may be spring-loaded. In particular, as shown, the spool member 14a includes an internal cavity 74 defined between a portion of the hub 38 and the bore 40. A spring 76 is positioned within the internal cavity 74, such that, when in an assembled state, as shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, both ends of the spring 76, for example, may be fixed to the spool member 14a and case member 12a and configured to apply a force sufficient to move only the first flange member 34 and hub 38 out of the rear cavity 28. In other embodiments, the spool member 14a and/or case member 12a may include other known means of restricting movement of the spool member 14a out of the rear cavity 28 and limiting exposure of only the first flange member 34 and hub 28. In certain instances, it may be desirable to have complete removal of the spool member 14a, such as when repair is necessary. As such, the spool member 14a and/or case member 12a may be configured to allow complete removal of the spool member 14a from the rear cavity 28.
After the finger retainer member 64 has been moved to the disengaged position, the finger retainer member 64 will return to an engaged position due to the constant biasing force applied thereto by the spring 68. The inclined portion 73 between the raised portion 70 and the retaining portion 72 of the finger retainer member 64 is shaped such that the spool member 14a may be repositioned within the rear cavity 28 and placed into a locked fashion with the finger retainer member 64. For example, as the second flange member 36 makes contact with the finger retainer member 64 as the spool member 14a is being positioned back into the rear cavity, the inclined portion 73 may transfer the force applied by the spool member 14a such that the finger retainer member 64 moves from and the engaged position to the disengaged position. Once the second flange member 36 is fully received within the rear cavity 28, the finger retainer member 64 may then slide back into the engaged position due to the biasing force of the spring 68, such that the retaining portion 72 engages the second flange member 36, as shown in
As shown, at least the first flange member 34 of the spool member 14b includes openings 80 defined on an outer periphery thereof. The openings 80 correspond to the retaining tabs 78 in shape and/or size, such that a retaining tab 78 may pass through a corresponding opening 80. As described in greater detail herein, the retaining tabs 78 are configured to retain the spool member 14b within the rear cavity 28 when the spool member 14b is in a first position, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the second flange member 36 may further include openings 88 defined along the outer periphery thereof. The openings 88 may further allow the retaining tabs 78 to pass therethrough, thereby allowing the spool member 14b to be positioned within the rear cavity 28 of the case member 12b. In one embodiment, the openings 88 may correspond to and be aligned with the openings 80 of the first flange member 34, such that, upon disengagement of the retaining tabs 80 from the recesses 86 of the first flange member 34 (i.e. the spool member 14b moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position), the retaining tabs 78 may pass through the openings 80, 88 of the first and second flange members 34, 36 as force applied by spring 76 directs the spool member 14b away from the rear cavity 28, wherein the entire spool member 14b may be completely removed from the rear cavity 28.
When a user would like to position the spool member 14b back into the rear cavity 28, the user need only align openings 80, 88 of the first and second flange members 34, 36, respectively, with the retaining tabs 78 and force the spool member 14b into the rear cavity 28, such that the retaining tabs 78 pass through the openings 80, 88. The user then need only to move the spool member 14b from the disengaged position to the engaged position by turning the spool member 14b in a counter-clockwise direction until the retaining tabs engage the recesses 86. As generally understood, movement of the spool member between the engaged and disengaged positions need not be limited to the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, respectfully, and, in other embodiments, the movements may be reversed.
As previously described with regard to the spool member 14a and case member 12a of
According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is thus provided a case for a portable electronic device. The case includes a case member including a front cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device, a rear cavity, at least one channel defined in a rear portion of the case member and in fluid communication with the rear cavity, and at least one recess defined in the rear portion of the case member and in fluid communication with the at least one channel; and a spool member configured to be received in the rear cavity of the case member. The spool member includes a first flange, and a second flange coupled to the first flange by a hub. When a cord of a corded accessory is wrapped around the hub between the first and second flange and the spool member is disposed in the rear cavity at least a portion of the cord may be disposed in the at least one channel defined in the rear portion of the case member and an earphone coupled to the end of the cord may be disposed in the at least one recess defined in the rear portion of the case member.
While several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present disclosure is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present disclosure is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.
This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/37100, filed May 7, 2014, designating the U.S. and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/822,059, filed May 10, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160058144 A1 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61822059 | May 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2014/037100 | May 2014 | US |
| Child | 14936133 | US |
