extending sockets, formed of accordions generally with buttons attached at their distal ends, for attaching to portable media players or portable media player cases. cases having attached sockets serve purposes beyond protection of the player, such as managing a headset, attaching to belts or the like, forming stand legs to prop the player at a desired angle, forming grips for gaming, forming a grip for securely holding and manipulating player with one hand, and forming extended legs for wedging players that are phones between the ear and shoulder. The sockets are structured to allow headset cords to be wound around the accordions when the sockets are extended, to prevent the cords from tangling. Space in an attached case may be provided so that the sockets may be partially or fully retracted with headphone cords wrapped around them to save space.
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22. An extending socket for attaching to a portable media player, the socket forming a tapered shape and further comprising:
means for attaching the socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape to the a back of the portable media player;
means for extending the socket outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting the socket back toward the portable media player by collapsing the socket generally along its axis; and
a foot disposed at the a distal end of the extending and retracting means.
0. 38. A method comprising the steps of:
attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a back of a portable media player;
selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding next to one another when fully collapsed;
selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other;
wherein the step of attaching the socket attaches two sockets to the player.
0. 37. An extending socket for attaching to a portable media player, the socket forming a tapered shape and further comprising:
means for attaching the socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape to a back of the portable media player;
means for extending the socket outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting the socket back toward the portable media player by collapsing the socket generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding next to one another when fully collapsed; and
a foot disposed at a distal end of the extending and retracting means.
0. 32. A method comprising the steps of:
attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a back of a portable media player;
selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding next to one another when fully collapsed;
selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other;
wherein the retracting step folds the walls into an orientation such that the walls are generally parallel to the axis of the accordion; and
wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.
1. A portable media player case for housing a portable media player, comprising:
a case body for housing the portable media player; and
an extendable socket attached to a back of the case body, the socket including:
an accordion forming a tapered shape capable of extending outward from the case body generally along its axis and retracting back toward the case body by collapsing generally along its axis, wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges, and
a foot disposed at the a distal end of the accordion;
wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed, and
wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.
0. 23. A portable media player case for housing a portable media player, comprising:
a case body for housing the portable media player; and
an extendable socket attached to a back of the case body, the socket including:
an accordion forming a tapered shape capable of extending outward from the case body generally along its axis and retracting back toward the case body by collapsing generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding in a generally parallel configuration next to one another, rather than stacking on top of one another, when fully collapsed, wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges,
a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;
wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape with circular base, constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed; and
wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.
0. 28. A socket for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media player case; and
an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding in a generally parallel configuration next to one another, rather than stacking on top of one another, when fully collapsed;
a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;
wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges;
wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape with circular base, constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed; and
wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.
0. 2. The case of
0. 3. The case of
0. 4. The case of
5. The case of claim 3 1wherein the case body forms a cavity for housing the socket when the accordion is retracted.
6. The case of
0. 9. A socket for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
a securing element for attaching the socket to the back of the portable media player or portable media player case; and
an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and
a foot disposed at the distal end of the accordion.
0. 10. The socket of
0. 11. The socket of
12. The A socket of
a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media case; and
an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and
a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;
wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges and is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long; and
wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed.
13. The socket of
14. The A socket of
a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media case; and
an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and
a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;
wherein the securing element comprises a suction cup; and
wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 22 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 22 mm long.
15. The A socket of
a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media case; and
an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and
a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;
wherein the securing element comprises suction-cup tape; and wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.
0. 16. A method comprising the steps of:
attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a portable media player;
selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis; and
selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other.
0. 17. The method of
0. 18. The method of
19. The A method of
attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a back of a portable media player;
selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis; and
selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other;
wherein the step of attaching the socket attaches two sockets to the player.
20. The method of
21. The method of
0. 24. The case of claim 23 wherein the case body forms a cavity for housing the socket when the accordion is retracted.
0. 25. The case of claim 23 further comprising a button attached to the foot, the button formed of a rigid material and extending radially past the foot.
0. 26. The case of claim 23 further comprising a suction cup attached to the foot.
0. 27. The case of claim 23 wherein the foot comprises a suction cup.
0. 29. The socket of claim 28 further comprising a button attached to the foot, the button formed of a rigid material and extending radially past the foot.
0. 30. The socket of claim 28 wherein the securing element comprises a suction cup.
0. 31. The socket of claim 28 wherein the securing element comprises suction-cup tape.
0. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of attaching the socket comprises the step of enclosing the player in a case already having the socket attached to the case.
0. 34. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of attaching the socket attaches two sockets to the player.
0. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and the step of retracting the socket retracts both of the sockets and further including the step of winding a cord around the accordions after extending the sockets and before retracting the sockets.
0. 36. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and further includes the step of bending the sockets in a curve away from the original axes of the accordions.
0. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and the step of retracting the socket retracts both of the sockets and further including the step of winding a cord around the accordions after extending the sockets and before retracting the sockets.
0. 40. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and further includes the step of bending the sockets in a curve away from the original axes of the accordions.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to extending sockets for portable media players. In particular, embodiments of the one or more present inventions relate to portable media cases including one or more socket extensions.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Portable media players such as MP3 players and smart phones are often housed in protective covers or cases in order to protect the media player from scratching or damage from dropping. Such cases increase the effective size of the media player and typically serve no purpose beyond protection.
Some portable media player cases include an extra feature to enable a single further function beyond protection. For instance, some cases have an arm that extends for standing the case on its side; one has an arm that extends for headset management; some have a pocket for storing headsets; some have two humps to function as gaming grips; one has two extendable flaps with finger holes to be used as gaming grips; and some have a clip for mounting the player on a belt. However, there is no case that serves all of these functions, and there is no case that serves the mounting functions without adding significant effective size to the player.
A need remains in the art for portable media player cases and extending sockets that perform a multitude of functions, such as the aforementioned functions, without adding significantly to the effective size of the player.
One or more embodiments of the one or more present inventions are directed to portable media player cases that include extending sockets for serving other purposes beyond protection of the player itself, such as one or more of storing headphone cords and preventing the cords from tangling, forming stand legs, forming gaming grips, clipping to belts, waistbands and shirt pockets, forming legs for wedging players that are phones between the shoulder and ear, and forming a grip that allows a user to securely hold and manipulate the player with one hand. Such cases include sockets extendable outward from the case. The sockets generally include extending elements, called “accordions,” comprising cylindrical or conical membranes with flexural hinges having feet at their distal ends. The sockets are structured to allow headphone cords to be wound around the accordions when the sockets are extended, to prevent the cords from tangling. Cavities in the case are provided so that the sockets may collapse flush with the case and may be partially or fully retracted with headphone cords wrapped around them in order to save space. Buttons may attach at the distal ends of the socket and in at least one embodiment are rigid, and in at least one embodiment extend radially past the distal end of the sockets to secure cords and the like.
In at least one embodiment, the sockets further act as stand legs for propping the player in various tilted or upright positions for viewing, data entry, video conferencing, etc. In their expanded states, the sockets act as comfortable grips for gaming, data entry, and searching the Internet. In at least one embodiment, the sockets act as a belt mount: two sockets can collapse onto a belt between them, thereby securing the belt between the sockets and the back of the case. The sockets in their expanded state facilitate hands-free talking on phone players, allowing user to comfortably wedge the player between the ear and shoulder. A socket in its expanded state facilitates one-hand control of the player by allowing the user to wedge fingers between the socket and the back of the case, while manipulating the front of the player with the thumb of the same hand.
The extending elements may comprise accordions, including flexural hinges interspersed with walls. The accordion structures allow the buttons to extend not just straight outward from the case, but also to curve away from the outward axis at various oblique angles. The buttons may snap onto the ends of the accordions, be glued on, or be feet integrally formed with the accordions. In particular, in at least one embodiment the accordions form cones having rotating “flipper” walls as well as fixed walls that jointly result in the walls folding down next to one another (such that the walls are generally parallel to the axis of the accordion) rather than stacking on top of one another.
A socket maintains full functionality without the buttons, and its feet may further form suction cups for attaching the player temporarily to flat surfaces. A socket may be attached to the case or directly to a portable media player. It may be attached permanently or temporarily, for instance by snap-fit or suction cup, and it may be integrally formed with the case. The buttons' purpose includes, but is not limited to, decoration. Designs can be added to the surface of the buttons. The buttons may also take on different forms to play different roles, such as mounting jacks for players that function as cameras or suction cups to attach to a surface.
In one embodiment, the case comprises an outer body, covering the edges and part of the back of the player, formed of a soft, flexible material such as thermoplastic urethane; an inner body or “socket-board”, covering the inner region of the back of the player, formed of a hard plastic, such as polycarbonate, integrally formed with the outer body; two accordions, formed of flexible material, for example a polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer such as Skythane® S190A, snap-fit to the socket-board; and two buttons, formed of hard plastic, such as polycarbonate, glued to the accordions. The case forms an opening for the portable media player screen in the front, with two socket extensions in the back.
Other embodiments include variations in (i) part material; (ii) number of socket extensions; (iii) location of socket extensions; (iv) mode of attachment of button to accordion; (v) mode of attachment of accordion to case body or portable media player; (vi) presence or absence of: button, case body, and socket-board; (vii) number of case body parts; and (viii) presence or absence of a component for connecting sockets extensions to the electronic components of the player to enable further functionality such as speakers.
The following table lists elements of the illustrated embodiments of the invention and their associated reference numbers for convenience.
Ref. No.
Element
1.
Button
2.
Accordion
3.
Socket-board
4.
Outer case body
5.
Vertical button wall
6.
Button ring
7.
Accordion vent
8.
Accordion top vertical wall
8A.
Foot
9.
Accordion flexural hinge
10.
Accordion flipper wall
11.
Accordion middle vertical wall
12.
Accordion bottom vertical wall
13.
Accordion male snap-fit
14.
Socket-board flange
15.
Socket-board socket cavity
16.
Socket-board female snap-fit
17.
Case body camera hole
18.
Case body power button hole
19.
Case body lip
20.
Case body speaker hole
21.
Case body port hole
22
Case ringer hole
23.
Case volume button
24.
Socket (comprises 1 and 2)
25.
Headphone jack hole
26.
Headphone jack (not part of invention)
27.
Headphone cord (not part of invention)
28.
Belt (not part of invention)
29.
Folding portion of accordion
30.
Socket-board camera and flash hole
31.
Suction-cup
32.
Suction-cup tape platform
33.
Suction-cup tape
34.
Suction-cup female snap-fit
35
Suction-cup tape platform female snap-fit
100.
Portable media player case constructed to attach a socket
101.
Portable media player case not constructed to attach
a socket (not part of invention)
200.
Media player (not part of invention)
Case 100 comprises outer case body 4, including socket-board 3, and sockets 24. Each socket 24 generally comprises a collapsible accordion 2 attached to case 100 such that it collapses to nestle within cavity 15, and a button 1 attached to the distal end of accordion 2. Button 1 may comprise a separate attached element or may be integral with accordion 2.
Like conventional cases, case 100 generally includes openings forming ports applicable to the media player, for example speaker holes 20, port hole 21, ringer hole 22, volume buttons 23, and headphone jack hole 25.
In a preferred embodiment, case body 4 is formed of TPU or TPE. Socket-board 3 is formed of PC or ABS, as are buttons 1. Accordions 2 are formed of Skythane® S190A or low-density polypropylene.
In one embodiment, accordion 2 is a cone formed of Skythane® S190A. Walls 8, 10, 11, 12 are all about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 5 mm long. Flexural hinges 9 are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long. Flipper walls are about 20-40 degrees off vertical when accordion 2 is in an expanded state. This allows walls 8, 10, 11, 12 to fold next to one another in a generally parallel configurations as show in
Button ring 6 presses into accordion male snap-fit 13, in order to urge it to engage with socket-board female snap-fit 16.
While the exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein with particularity, those skilled in the art will appreciate various changes, additions, and applications other than those specifically mentioned, which are within the spirit of this invention. For example, media player 200 might be a tablet or an MP3 player or other device such as an iPod Touch™. Case 4 would then be sized accordingly, and the appropriate portholes provided. In addition, more or fewer sockets may be provided. The sockets and buttons may have different shapes and sizes. They might be resilient rather than rigid, or form suction cups.
Barnett, David B., Carlson, Lawrence E.
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