US20120308164A1 - Accessory Carrier for Personal Digital Device - Google Patents

Abstract

An accessory carrier to enclose and support for hands-free operation virtually any size of a personal electronic device in a soft, flexible case that is adapted to convenient and shock-absorbing support by or on a variety of objects, that provides for protection of the enclosed device if dropped, and protects the device from spills, grubby fingers, etc., all while permitting full touch operation of a touch sensitive display on the enclosed device through a transparent protective panel of the carrier.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• The present U.S. patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/493,409 filed Jun. 3, 2011 and entitled HANGING POUCH FOR SMALL AUDIOVISUAL DEVICE.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention generally relates to cases for supporting small appliances during use and more particularly to cases for enclosing personal digital devices and supporting them hands-free during viewing or protecting their screens from foreign substances.
• 2. Background of the invention and Description of the Prior Art: Carriers or carrying cases for small appliances such as personal electronic devices are typically designed for ease of carrying or ease of operation while enclosed within or supported by the case. Some devices are built into carrying cases (e.g., laptop computers). Some devices are more adapted to separate cases, primarily to protect the device while it is being transported. Other devices such as smart phones or tablet computers having touch sensitive displays also have characteristics peculiar to them—namely, the screens may both display video programs for viewing and provide an interface for entering commands and data or interacting with a game program, directly on the display screen. When viewing a video program, or listening to an audio program on such devices, it is usually not necessary to handle the device except when operating it before or after the content is played back. Thus, a hands-free mode of operation is presented, and the device is susceptible to being propped up on some surface or object so that the viewer can have the use of his or her hands. Such temporary support can often be inconvenient for the user as well as potentially harmful to the device if the temporary support is disturbed or tenuous or precarious.
• When it is necessary to interact with the device by touching its screen to enter a command or data or to interact with the screen when playing a game, for example, it is recommended that the user's hands be clean to avoid fingerprint smudges on the screen or deposit of food or other substances on the screen that impair visibility or perhaps even be harmful to the surface of the screen, thereby adversely affecting its readability, responsiveness to touch, reliability, or even longevity. This operating condition can be avoided by using ordinary caution and attention to the need to use work habits that could soil or damage the screen. However, with young children this is more difficult to arrange and manage, especially when a device is left alone with a child and provided to the child to use and/or view as entertainment. With infant children, dribbles and drools, sneezes, or even spit up food place the device at risk of exposure to potentially damaging effects on the device.
• When devices having touch-sensitive display screens are used by young children, toddlers, or even infants, these operating situations present certain additional challenges particularly while traveling or awaiting commencement of an appointed service or contact. A problem that often arises is how to support a small electronic device having a touch sensitive screen while traveling or waiting, or when a device is being used in the hands-free or direct interaction situations noted above.
• Conventional devices heretofore available address these problems in part but are limited in significant ways. Some function only as carrying cases that do not permit use of the personal digital device while in the case. Others merely provide a means of supporting a device for hands-free viewing with the display screen at a suitable angle on a table.
• One currently available product called “Apptivity™ Case” from Fisher-Price®, a division of Mattel, Inc., for use by infants and toddlers supports a limited number smart phone devices in a rigid tray but has a number of disadvantages. Importantly, this product is compatible with only one size of digital device—only a device having the exact dimensions of the tray can be installed in this product. The tray is inserted into the back side of a rigid frame and secured with a quarter-turn knob requiring a coin to turn the knob. The requirement of a coin to complete assembly is problematic for the very young because of the potential choking hazard and requires an adult to install the smart phone in the case. The hard structures of the tray and frame of the case provide no shock-absorbing capability. This product also appears designed to be held—and played with—by a child and lacks features designed for facilitating convenient support on other objects for hands-free viewing.
• Other products provide a clear protective cover in a water proof case that requires opening the cover to operate the device. Still others having a fabric case completely enclose the device and require removal of the device to operate it. Another product is a stand that supports the device at a convenient viewing angle on a table top, for example, and includes a tether with a hook for hanging the stand, but provides no protection of the display screen surface from spills, grubby fingers, etc. while touching the screen.
• What is needed is a simple, child-friendly and child-safe apparatus that overcomes the above deficiencies, is easy to use, provides support for virtually any size personal digital device, and permits operation of the touch sensitive screen while installed in the apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Accordingly, to solve the foregoing short comings of the prior art the present invention provides a carrier to enclose and support for hands-free operation virtually all sizes of a personal electronic device in a soft, flexible and spacious case that is adapted to convenient and shock-absorbing support by or on a variety of objects, that provides for protection of the enclosed device if dropped, and protects the device from spills, grubby fingers, etc., all while permitting full touch operation through a transparent protective panel over the screen. The invention is a simple, child-friendly and child-safe apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art, is easy to use, inexpensive, and readily adaptable to a variety of different conditions of use.
• In one embodiment an accessory carrier for a personal electronic device is provided, comprising an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge; a front panel of the envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet; a back panel of said envelope formed of first (inner) and second (outer) layers of fabric enclosing there between a third reinforcing layer; and at least one pair of button loops, each loop of said pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.
• In one aspect the invention includes a closure flap extending from a top edge of the back panel and disposed over said open top edge and a top edge of the front panel of the envelope; wherein the closure flap includes first and second ends joined to respective the side edges of the envelope.
• In another aspect the invention includes a second pair of button loops, each loop extending from one side and opposite the corresponding button loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.
• In another aspect the invention includes at least one child-safe link for attaching a the button loop to a supporting object.
• In another aspect the invention includes the third reinforcing layer is a thin sheet of closed-cell foam having a thickness exceeding 0.1 inch.
• In an alternate embodiment of the invention an accessory carrier for a personal electronic device is provided, comprising an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge; a front panel of the envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet; a back panel of the envelope formed of at least one layer of medium weight fabric; and at least one pair of button loops, each loop of the pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite, wherein this alternate embodiment may include any of the various aspects noted in the preceding paragraphs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a front side view of one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view along the longitudinal centerline of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 illustrates a front side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention and one example of the use of an associated supporting device;
• FIG. 4 illustrates, in several alternate views, A, B, C, D, and E, a group of alternative supporting devices that may be used in association with the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2;
• FIG. 5 illustrates a first example of use of the invention as supported from headrest posts of an automobile seat;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the use of the invention as supported from an airplane seat;
• FIG. 7 illustrates a third example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a grocery cart;
• FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a toddler's car seat;
• FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a child's stroller;
• FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame of a baby crib or play pen; and
• FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the free-standing use of the invention by a child without using any supporting device as shown inFIGS. 5 through 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• A personal digital device for the purpose of the following description includes but is not limited to portable computing and/or communication devices having a display screen that responds to touching its surface to enter commands or data or otherwise interact with it. Examples include tablet computers, and the broad categories of smart telephones and hand-held video games and the like. Such devices typically communicate with networks and other devices by wireless links and interfaces and thus normally require no cords or cables attached to them during operation. The accompanying drawings are intended to be viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description. The various figures depict the invention and identify its features with reference numbers associated with the written description. The same reference numbers appearing in more than one view refer to the same structural element or feature. Further, the embodiment shown and described is provided to illustrate the principles of the present invention and not intended to limit the ways the invention may be implemented. For example, while the devices illustrated are adapted to use primarily by children, the invention is not limited solely to their use. Adaptations of the basic concept may easily be adapted for other similar uses and may be implemented in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow the detailed description. Further, in the description following, both personal digital devices (of several types) and supporting objects—seats or chairs in cars, airplanes, waiting rooms, households; or strollers or car seats for infants or toddlers, or grocery carts, etc.—are items in the environment of the invention, which, though some of these are indicated or shown in partial form in the drawings, are not part of the invention.
• When personal digital devices having touch-sensitive display screens are used by young children, toddlers, or even infants, such devices are at risk of damage or impairing their performance by soiling the display surface, etc. A problem that often arises is how to support a small electronic device having a touch sensitive screen while traveling or waiting for an appointment, or when a device is being used in the hands-free or direct interaction situations noted above. In addition to providing convenient means of supporting the device for hands-free viewing, and providing access to the surface of the screen, a device for supporting a personal digital device must accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of personal digital devices, and be child-friendly and child-safe—i.e., easy for children to use and soft to the touch, without hard edges or surfaces. Preferably, the solution should also provide some protection against breakage if dropped, and be easily cleaned.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a front side view of one embodiment of a carrier for a personal digital device according to the present invention. In its basic form the invention is an accessory carrier for a personal electronic device configured as an envelope made of soft, flexible materials that has a transparent front panel to permit operation of a touch screen through it, and at least one pair of resilient button loops extending from the sides of the envelope. These resilient loops enable hanging or supporting the envelope from supporting objects such as seats or chairs in cars, airplanes, waiting rooms, households, etc. to allow hands-free viewing of images or video programs appearing on the display screen. The carrier is spacious and can be produced in a variety of sizes to accommodate virtually any size of personal digital device that is or becomes available, thus eliminating any compatibility issues. The construction of the carrier from quilting fabric, closed cell foam, and a vinyl front panel, and the resilient button loops that support the carrier, together provide shock-absorbing properties while retaining the ease of inserting or removing the personal digital device and the ability to operate the device while it is inside the carrier. This is a combination of features not known to exist prior to the present invention, which provides an advancement in the state of the art in such accessory devices.
• The view inFIG. 1 includes several features, some of them optional, as follows. Thecarrier10, which in one embodiment may be called a “Car Seat Cinema™” a name that reflects one of the many uses of thecarrier10, includes anenvelope12 having afront panel14 and arear panel16. The carrier may further be equipped withresilient button loops18,19 extending from the side edges28,30 of theenvelope12. In some embodiments additionalresilient button loops20,21 may be included. In still other embodimentsresilient button loops22,23, and/or24,25 may also be included. In a preferred embodiment,button loops18 and19 provide for supporting theenvelope12 in a vertical or “portrait” orientation. In another preferred embodiment, the added pair ofbutton loops20,21 may be included to provide the option to a user to support the envelope in a “landscape” orientation from one of the side edges of the envelope. Embodiments having double button loops, as forbutton loops18,22 and19,23, for example, may be included to provide additional support of theenvelope12 and its contents. Preferred embodiments will have one (18,19) or two (18,19 and20,21) pairs of resilient button loops. Of course, the choice of numbers of pairs of the button loops to include is optional. It is preferred that the material for the button loops be resilient—i.e, so that they will stretch somewhat when a child pulls on thecarrier10. The resilient property also provides some shock-absorbing capability to minimize jarring forces imparted to the personal digital device when it is attached to strollers, grocery carts, etc.
• The material suggested for thebutton loops18,19 and20,21 (as well as the loops22-25 shown inFIG. 1) is an elastic cord approximately 5 mm (millimeters) in width (for flat elastic cord) or diameter (for round elastic cord). Typical elastic cord includes a rubber band material within a fabric sleeve and is readily available in a variety of colors. Braided elastic cord is also suitable. The cord is elastic to provide some shock-absorbing capability and to facilitate securing the carrier to the supporting objects and providing moderate “give” as the button loops are stretched to reach a tie point or to absorb efforts to grab or pull on the carrier, etc. The elastic material also permits some adjustment of viewing angles, etc. Further, having four loops provides some versatility in supporting the carrier in a secure and convenient orientation. For example, the uppermost loops (in either the portrait or landscape orientation) can be used to support the carrier and its contents while the lower most pair can be used for attaching ballast to keep the carrier from shifting about too readily.
• Continuing withFIG. 1, theenvelope12 has a bottom edge orside26 and a top edge orside32. Attached to thetop edge32 of therear panel16 is ashort flap34 having afree edge36. Theflap34 may be sewn to thetop edge32 of the rear panel16 (or it can be an extension of the rear panel16). The ends of theflap34 aligned with thesides28 and30 are preferably sewn along thesides28 and30 at thelocations38 and40 as shown. The front14 and rear16 panels may be sewn together along theside28 and30,bottom edge26, andtop edge32 with a strong thread at seams44. Theflap34 may be sewn to the upper portion of theenvelope12 at theseam46. The upper edge of the front panel, not visible inFIG. 1, but shown in detail inFIG. 2, is disposed just under theflap34 between thelower edge36 of theflap34 and theseam46. Also shown inFIG. 1 in dashedlines42 is the location of a fastening device for securing theflap34 to thefront panel14. Thefastening device42 to be described may be positioned between the underside of theflap34 and the upper portion of thefront panel14. Aseparate fastening device42 is typically not required on smaller versions of thecarrier10,62. For example, a size ofcarrier10,62 suitable for a small device such as asmart phone100 is small enough that theflap34 will remain closed over the upper edge of the transparentfront panel14 by virtue of the relatively small dimensions of thecarrier10,62 after thedevice100 is inserted into the carrier.
• Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the envelope depicted inFIGS. 1,2, and3 may be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate various sizes and kinds of personal digital devices having touch-sensitive (or, “touch”) screens. Thefront panel14 is formed of a thin, transparent, preferably clear material to permit operation of the touch sensitive display screen of a personal digital device enclosed within the accessory carrier envelope. Theback panel16 of the carrier envelope may be constructed of one or more layers of fabric or similar material One layer of material for the back panel is feasible in some applications, for example, in smaller carriers. However, in most units three layers are preferred as will be described. Further, the shapes of thepanels14,16 andflap34 may vary from that shown inFIG. 1 and still provide all of the intended features and functionality of the invention. Moreover, all of the materials used in the construction of thecarrier10, in all of its embodiments must be chosen to be safe for young children to use and handle.
• Turning now toFIG. 2 there is illustrated a cross section view of thecarrier10 along the longitudinal centerline of the embodiment ofFIG. 1. This view is not to scale but is shown with the thickness of theenvelope12 expanded and the overall length contracted to better illustrate the details of construction.FIG. 2 also depicts theflap34 extended, before it is folded against the front of theenvelope34 to be sewn along the sides of theenvelope38,40 along theseam46. Thefront panel14 may preferably be a thin 15 Gauge sheet of transparent (or “clear”) double polished vinyl, designated herein astransparent plastic sheet50. This material is selected because it is optically very clear, is thin enough and flexible enough to permit an undistorted view of the display screen of the device placed within theenvelope12. This gauge also permits operation of the touch screen through thefront panel14 made of thetransparent sheet50. Contact with the display screen is through a “tap” or “finger swipe” gesture on thefront panel14. Thicknesses other than 15 gauge may be used although the 15 Gauge thickness is preferred. Generally, a thickness of 20 Ga. or less may be used. It is suggested that gauges less than 10 are not recommended as being too thin to provide sufficient reliability. To prepare thetransparent sheet50 for assembly with theback panel16, a bias tape edging58 may be sewn to the upper edge of thetransparent sheet50 and afastening device42B may be affixed to thetransparent sheet50 just below the upper edge of thetransparent sheet50 and the bias tape edging58.
• Continuing withFIG. 2, theenvelope12 includes aback panel16 formed, in this illustrated embodiment, of three layers. The first (inner) and second (outer) layers52,54 may be formed of a fabric material such as cotton quilting material and enclose athird layer56 of closed cell polyurethane foam approximately 0.125 inch thick. The third (intermediate)layer56 provides some moderate stiffness to theback panel16 that makes it easier to insert and remove a personal digital device, and to give the envelope12 a body or “heft” that is easier to handle. The third (intermediate)layer56 of closed cell foam also provides some cushioning of the personaldigital device100 enclosed within thecarrier10,62. In some applications the closed cell foam may be 0.1 to 0.3 inch thick. The outer layers are preferably 100% cotton quilting fabric or equivalent having a suggested weight of 5 to 5½ oz./yd. for a standard 45 inch width. This weight is not critical, however. All of the materials chosen for thecarrier10 are selected for being washable and child-friendly as well as easily handled during manufacture of theenvelope12 of thecarrier10.
• In some embodiments theback panel16 may employ a laminated material that has the same properties as the three-layer composition described in the preceding paragraph, including the body, stiffness, cushioning, washability, etc. It is even possible to use a single layer material of suitable weight, or even light weight leather of medium stiffness and having the combination of characteristics described above. As is well known, fabrics are available in a wide range of weights in ounces (oz.) or grams (gr.) per square yard or square meter. For the application described herein a medium weight fabric having a medium stiffness or “body” or “heft” or “drape” may be used. For example, denim (e.g., 16 oz./sq.yd.) or canvas (ranging up to 12 oz./sq.yd.) are relatively heavy and stiff fabrics, while quilting fabric is lighter and less stiff than either but not as light or stiff as cotton sheeting or shirt cloth fabrics. Thus, quilting fabric is representative of medium weight fabrics having some stiffness. Other examples might include furniture fabrics although they would tend to be closer to heavier weights and stiffness than quilting. The heavier weights are less suitable because of the difficulty of sewing them in seams that are not bulky, etc. For these reasons, the 5 to 5½ oz./sq.yd. is a suitably medium weight fabric for the embodiment having first and second layers and an intermediate third layer of closed cell foam. For a single layer, a heavier weight fabric of 10 oz./sq.yd. to 12 oz./sq.yd., or a light weight leather of medium stiffness may be suitable, although some experimentation may be necessary to suit the particular application. Thus, the embodiment inFIG. 2 may be modified for some applications, for example, accessory carriers for smaller personal digital devices, by deleting theinner layer52 and the intermediate (stiffener)layer56. In this modification, the hemmededge32 is formed of the edge of thesingle layer54.
• Careful observers will note that, as illustrated, thetransparent sheet50 and the first52 and second54 layers of fabric, after cutting to size may be assembled with thetransparent sheet50 placed between the outward-facing sides of the first52 and second54 fabric layers. After aligning the respective edges of the layers, thebottom edge26 and side edges28 and30 of the threelayers52,54, and50 (the first, second, and third layers respectively) may be sewn along theseam44. Then theenvelope12 is turned “inside out” and the foaminner layer56 inserted within theenvelope12 before theseam46 is sewn. Also note that before theseam46 is sewn, the edges of the first52 and second54 fabric layers are folded inward and bound to form the hemmededge32. The flap34 (which may include both first52 and second54 layers) is folded over, along the upper edge of thefoam layer56 at the location indicated by thearrows48, and against the front surface of thetransparent sheet50.
• Also shown inFIG. 2 are twosides42A and42B of a fastening device that may be used on larger versions of thecarrier10. For smaller or simpler versions such as shown inFIG. 3, a separate fastening device is not needed. When theflap34 is sewn along thesides38,40 it will be noted that both sides of thefastening device42A and42B will in juxtaposition with each other. Thefastening device42 may be any fastener that has two complementary halves such as a hook and loop fastener, a snap fastener, and the like. As assembled, theenvelope12 includes theflap34 that is open along its free edge except at the ends thereof along the sides of thecarrier10 at38 and40. Theflap34, thus configured, permits a convenient opening to insert or remove a personaldigital device100.
• In use, the personal digital device (not shown) is inserted between the front14 and back16 panels with its display facing outward through the transparentfront panel14 by lifting theflap34 above the upper edge of thefront panel14 and inserting thedevice100 between thepanels14,16. Theflap34 is then restored to its initial position and thefastening device42A,42B secured if thecarrier10,62 is so equipped.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a front side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention and one example of the use of an associated supporting device. This view is the same asFIG. 1 with several exceptions. First, two pairs ofresilient button loops18,19 and20,21 are shown instead of two. Second, the location of a fastening means (42) is shown as depicted inFIG. 1. This is because in smaller embodiments of thecarrier10, such as for smart phone products, a separate fastening means (42) is not required. Third, child-safe links64 are shown looped through thebutton loops18,20.Such links64 may be supplied with thecarrier10 to enable supporting thecarrier10 by hanging it from the headrest posts in an automobile, the frame of a grocery cart, child's stroller or car seat, etc. The child-safe links64 depicted inFIG. 3 are fabricated of a flexible, resilient material such as a thermoplastic which can resist either twisting or bending forces applied to a thin rod of the material. This property enables the separate, open ends66 on the one side to be separated, either by forcing the ends66 laterally with respect to each other or by pulling them apart slightly along their common axis so that thelink64 may be slipped around a shaft, pipe, rod, post, or frame member. When the ends66 of the open side of thelink64 are released they return to an aligned position. The tension in thelinks64 is sufficient to support the relatively light weight of the personal digital device enclosed within thecarrier10. Another required property of the material used for the child-safe links64 is that they be non-toxic and safe for young children to handle. Alternative child-safe links are illustrated and described forFIG. 4.
• FIG. 4 illustrates, in several alternate views and without limitation, a group of some alternative child-safe links. All of them are child-safe links in the broader sense in that they may be used in association with the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2 in place of the child-safe links64 illustrated inFIG. 3. Further, it is important that the child-safe links chosen be sufficiently large to preclude a choking hazard for young children. For example, thelinks64 shown inFIG. 3 are approximately 2½ to 3 inches long. Moreover, any link chosen must be safe for children to handle and have no sharp edges or parts that may removed easily, or be made of materials that are not safe for children to handle. It is to be understood that, while other objects may be used to support thecarrier10,62, child-safe objects are preferred. In any case, It is intended that, for very young children, adults perform the task of installing thecarrier10,62 to a supporting object using the child-safe links illustrated or their equivalent.
• InFIG. 4A is shown a variant of the oval shaped child-safe link64 illustrated inFIG. 3. Thecircular link70 ofFIG. 4A is otherwise identical with the oval shapedlink64, having the separate ends72 that may be separated to install thelink70 around a shaft, pipe, or frame member and abutton loop18,19,20, or21 of thecarrier10.FIG. 4B illustrates a device called acircular split ring74, preferably also made of a thermoplastic material that can resist twisting forces applied to theends76 of the ring as they may be separated laterally to install thering74 around a shaft, pipe, or frame member and abutton loop18,19,20, or21 of thecarrier10. The device depicted inFIG. 4C is called acarabiner78. Carabiner79 is typically made of a metal such as aluminum and has a swingingarm80, usually held in a closed position against thefixed end84 by a spring (not shown) within the hinged joint82. To operate, the swingingarm80 is pressed inward away from the fixedend84 so that thecarabiner78 may be slipped around a shaft, pipe, or frame member and abutton loop18,19,20, or21 of thecarrier10.
• Continuing withFIG. 4D, the “S”hook86 may also be used as a child-operable link64. Constructed of metal or thermoplastic, oneend88 of the “S”86 may be installed around abutton loop18,19,20, or21 and theother end90 installed around a shaft, pipe, or frame member of the supporting object. It is especially important that if anS hook86 is chosen for supporting thecarrier10 it must be sufficiently large to preclude it being swallowed by an infant or young toddler, and have no sharp edges or points, or be made of a material that may be toxic to children. Another example of a child-safe link shown inFIG. 4E is anelastic loop92 with ahook94. As illustrated, thehook94 is attached to oneend96 of theloop92 with aferrule98 or other fastener. Theelastic loop92 may be used several ways by threading the loop through abutton loop18,19,20, or21 of thecarrier10 and around a shaft, pipe, or frame member of the supporting object (not shown) and hooking thehook94 to theloop92. Alternatively theloop92 may be hung around a protruding portion of a supporting object and thehook94 threaded through a button loop and hooked around theloop92 adjacent theferrule98 to secure the button loop to the supporting object.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a first example of use of the invention as supported fromheadrest posts102 of anautomobile seat104. To preface this description, note that either of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 3, or either of the sizes described herein (large for a tablet computer and small for a smart phone or a video game device) may be used in the same way in all depicted examples shown inFIGS. 5 through 11. Thecarrier10,62 is shown supported from the head rest posts102 of anautomobile seat104 by the split links64 shown inFIG. 3 although it could as well be supported with other types of links shown inFIG. 4, views A through E. The links64 are hooked through theresilient button loops18,20 to support thedevice100 in a landscape mode, although in some situations thelinks64 could be hooked to theresilient button loops18,19 to orient thedevice100 in a portrait mode. Inside thecarrier10,62 is a personaldigital device100, supported therein for hands-free viewing. If it is necessary to interact with thedevice100, one merely grasps thecarrier10,62 with one hand and touches the front panel sufficient to press the transparent front panel against the display screen of thedevice100 above the desired image on the display. The thin gauge transparent vinyl of the front panel enables the pressure of one's finger, whether a touch or a drag, to be transferred to the surface of the display screen to operate thedevice100.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the use of the invention as supported from anairplane seat108. As inFIG. 5, either of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 3, or either of the sizes described herein (large for a tablet computer and small for a smart phone or a video game device) may be used in the same way. Thecarrier10,62 is shown supported from the ends of an airplane fold-downtray106 by anelastic loop92 such as shown inFIG. 4E. Thecarrier10,62 could also be supported with other types of links shown inFIG. 4, views A through D or other similar ties (not shown), depending on the structure of the support that is available nearby. Theelastic loops92 are hooked through theresilient button loops18,20 to support thedevice100 in a landscape mode. Inside thecarrier10,62 is a personaldigital device100, that may be viewed hands-free or operated by touching the transparent front panel as described above forFIG. 5.
• FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate other examples of how thecarrier10,62 may be supported so that it has the same functionality as described forFIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 7 illustrates a third example of the use of the invention as supported from the frame112 of agrocery cart110. Thecarrier10,62 is again supported bylinks64 attached to theresilient button loops18,20 to support thedevice100 in a landscape mode.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth example of the use of the invention as supported from theframe122 of a toddler'scar seat120. In this view, the back side of thecarrier10,62 is visible, but thecarrier10,62 is supported bylinks64 attached to theresilient button loops18,20.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth example of the use of the invention as supported from theframe132 of a child'sstroller130, using thesame links64 as described in the previous views.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth example of the use of the invention as supported from theframe142 of ababy crib140 or equivalent such as a play pen (not shown).
• FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the free-standing use of the invention by a child without using any supporting device as shown inFIGS. 5 through 10. In this view thecarrier10,62 with adevice100 inside is supported by the child, who is operating the device through the transparentfront panel14 by transferring his touch to interact with thedevice100 through the thin and flexible transparentfront panel14 to the screen of the display on the personaldigital device100. The view inFIG. 11 also illustrates the soft, flexible character of thecarrier10,62—a property made available by the use of fabrics and other thin and routinely soft materials.
• While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, acarrier10,62 is provided to enclose and support for hands-free operation virtually any size of a personalelectronic device100 in a soft, flexible case that is adapted to convenient and shock-absorbing support by or on a variety of objects, that provides for protection of the enclosed device if dropped, and protects the device from spills, grubby fingers, etc., all while permitting full touch operation through a transparent protective panel over the screen. While the devices illustrated are adapted to use primarily by children, and are thus designed to be child-friendly and child-safe in use, the invention is not limited solely to their use. Adaptations of the basic concept may easily be adapted for other similar uses and may be implemented in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. Variations in materials, sizes and shapes, supporting links, methods of closure, etc. for thecarrier10,62 are contemplated to meet specific applications. Devices intended for use by children must employ materials and design features that are safe for children to handle.
• For example, the fabric for the back panel17 may be any fabric-like material such as a light-weight leather or synthetic fabrics that have the properties provided from cotton quilting material. These materials, in combination with theinner layer56 of closed cell foam, while soft and flexible, provide a balance between some shock-absorbing ability in case thecarrier10,62 is dropped, for example, and sufficient “body” to enable an easily handled object. While clear, transparent, double polished vinyl sheet of 15 Gauge has been found a suitable material for thefront panel14 other materials having similar properties that may become available in the future may also be suitable. The child-operable links64 or other suitable substitutes described above may have other alternatives that become available. As noted, the resiliency of thebutton loops18,19,20, and21 provides some protection from grabbing by youthful hands or from minor shocks. One alternative if resilient button loops are not available is to use child-safe links that are resilient, the principle being that the combination of the button loops and the child-safe links should be resilient.

Claims (20)

1. An accessory carrier for a personal electronic device, comprising:

an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge;

a front panel of said envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet;

a back panel of said envelope formed of first (inner) and second (outer) layers of fabric enclosing there between a third reinforcing layer; and

at least one pair of button loops, each loop of said pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

2. The carrier ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a closure flap extending from a top edge of said back panel and disposed over said open top edge and a top edge of said front panel of said envelope; wherein

said closure flap includes first and second ends joined to respective said side edges of said envelope.

3. The carrier ofclaim 2, further comprising:

a fastening device disposed on an inner surface of said closure flap and on and aligned with an outer surface of said top edge of said front panel.

4. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein:

said third reinforcing layer is a thin sheet of closed-cell foam having a thickness exceeding 0.1 inch.

5. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein:

said button loops are formed of elastic material.

6. The carrier ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a second pair of button loops, each loop extending from one side and opposite the corresponding button loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

7. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein:

said front panel is formed of double polished clear vinyl sheet having a gauge thickness less than 20 gauge.

8. The carrier ofclaim 1, wherein said first and second layers of fabric each comprise:

a cotton quilting fabric having a weight less than 10 oz./sq.yd.

9. The carrier ofclaim 1, further comprising:

at least one child-safe link for attaching a said button loop to a supporting object.

10. The carrier ofclaim 9, wherein;

said child-safe link is selected from the group consisting of a flexible open chain link, a flexible split ring, a carabiner, an “S” hook, and an elastic hook.

11. An accessory carrier for a personal electronic device, comprising:

an envelope having a front and back panel joined together along respective first and second sides and bottom edges thereof and open along a top edge;

a front panel of said envelope formed of thin, transparent plastic sheet;

a back panel of said envelope formed of at least one layer of medium weight fabric; and

at least one pair of button loops, each loop of said pair extending from one side and opposite the corresponding loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

12. The accessory carrier ofclaim 11, wherein:

said back panel comprises first and second layers of medium weight fabric.

13. The accessory carrier ofclaim 12, wherein:

said back panel includes a third layer intermediate said first and second layers of open cell foam having a thickness between 0.1 and 0.3 inch.

14. The accessory carrier ofclaim 11, further comprising:

a closure flap extending from a top edge of said back panel and disposed over said open top edge and a top edge of said front panel of said envelope; wherein

said closure flap includes first and second ends joined to respective said side edges of said envelope.

15. The accessory carrier ofclaim 14, further comprising:

a fastening device disposed on an inner surface of said closure flap and on and aligned with an outer surface of said top edge of said front panel.

16. The accessory carrier ofclaim 11, wherein:

said button loops are formed of elastic material.

17. The accessory carrier ofclaim 11, further comprising:

a second pair of button loops, each loop extending from one side and opposite the corresponding button loop of the pair extending from the side opposite.

18. The accessory carrier ofclaim 11, wherein:

said front panel is formed of double polished clear vinyl sheet having a gauge thickness less than 20 gauge.

19. The carrier ofclaim 11, further comprising:

at least one child-safe link for attaching a said button loop to a supporting object.

20. The carrier ofclaim 19, wherein;

said child-safe link is selected from the group consisting of a flexible open chain link, a flexible split ring, a carabiner, an “S” hook, and an elastic hook.

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