US20140263495A1 - Reversible Case and Armband - Google Patents

Abstract

A reversible case and armband is disclosed. The reversible case may be used to carry and transport portable devices. In storage mode, the reversible case stores devices similar to a pouch or pocket. In active mode, the reversible case exposes an armband for wearing the case on a user's arm.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Electronic devices continue to shrink in size, form and weight, allowing the devices to be conveniently portable. For example, MP3 players and mobile phones continue to decrease in size without losing the features and functionality of their home counterparts. Users will also carry accessories for electronic devices such as headsets, headphones, batteries and memory cards. A common solution is to stow the device and it's accessories in a pocket or case. Often it is preferred or necessary that devices are immediately accessible and/or visible to the user when carried; for example a user that is jogging while listening to music may need to access the device to control audio playback.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to one aspect of the invention, a portable storage device comprises an armband and a receptacle having a first and second surface. The receptacle is reversible to and from a first and second mode. In the first mode, an inner surface of the receptacle comprises the first surface while an outer surface of the receptacle surface comprises the second surface. In the second mode, an inner surface of the receptacle comprises the second surface while an outer surface of the receptacle surface comprises the first surface.
• In one embodiment, the first surface is orientated in a first direction and the second surface is orientated in a second direction generally opposite of the first direction. Furthermore, the first surface may be obverse and reverse from the second surface. The first surface may also comprise a reflective element.
• In another embodiment, the armband is disposed or stored within the inner surface of the receptacle when the receptacle is in the second mode. The armband may be free when the receptacle when the receptacle is in the first mode and may comprise fastener such as a Velcro-like loops and hook faster.
• In one embodiment, at least three forces are applied to the receptacle when the receptacle is reversed. The forces may be applied simultaneously or in sequence. Furthermore, the forces applied to the receptacle may vary in direction. In another embodiment, at least two of the forces applied to the receptacle when reversing the receptacle are in opposing directions.
• According to another embodiment, the portable storage device may comprise a two-way zipper coupled to the receptacle. The two-way zipper may need to be unzipped or opened prior to reversing the receptacle to and from the first mode and second mode. The two-way zipper would allow the user to close and open the receptacle regardless of which surface is the inner or outer surface. The portable storage device may also further comprise a fastener coupled to the receptacle. This fastener could work in conjunction with the armband to fasten the portable storage device to a user.
• In another embodiment, a reversible portable storage device comprises a flexible receptacle that is coupled to an armband. The flexible receptacle has two opposed surfaces, wherein each surface is capable of forming an outer surface and an inner surface of the receptacle. The opposed surfaces may be made from a single piece of material. Furthermore, the opposed surfaces may be obverse and reverse.
• In one embodiment, at least one surface comprises a reflective element. At least one surface may also be fully or partially transparent. In this case, a transparent surface would allow the user to see the portable device while in the receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, at least one surface comprises an aperture so that the user may have access to the portable device. For example, the user may need access to an audio port on the portable device.
• In another embodiment, the armband is disposed within the inner surface of the receptacle. The armband may be disposed completely or partially within the inner surface. Additionally, the armband may comprise a loops and hook fastener. In an alternative embodiment, the portable storage device may comprise a two-way zipper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front view of a case and armband when in an active configuration according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a back view of the case and armband ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3A andFIG. 3B are a side views of the case and armbandFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3C andFIG. 3D are top and bottom views respectively of the case and armband ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4A is a front view of the case ofFIG. 1 in a storage configuration.
• FIG. 4B is a back view of the case ofFIG. 4A.
• FIGS. 4C and 4D are a side views of the case ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the case ofFIG. 5 wherein the case is partially open and a portable electronic device.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the case ofFIG. 1 storing a portable electronic device.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a user changing the case ofFIG. 7 from a storage configuration to an active configuration.
• FIG. 9 is a view of the case ofFIG. 7 when in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Description of specific embodiments and applications are provided only as examples and various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principle defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. For purposes of clarity, details relating to technical materials that are known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
• Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, shown is acase100 andarmband150 according to one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 1 shows the front view andFIG. 2 shows the back view of thecase100 andarmband150. Thecase100 comprises afirst surface130, asecond surface230, azipper track115, a two-way reversible zipper comprising afirst zipper head116 and asecond zipper head216,reflective stripes110 and aflap122, and afastener120. Thearmband150 comprises Velcro-like loops and Velcro-like hooks157 andperforations159.
• FIGS. 1,2,3,7 and9 illustrate acase100 for receiving and storing electronic devices and accessories when the case is used in active mode. In active mode, the user wears the case around his or her arm and may store a portable device in thecase100. In this embodiment thecase100 is in the form of a rectangular receptacle. Thecase100 comprises afirst surface130. Thefirst surface130 comprises afirst side131, asecond side132, athird side133, afourth side134, afifth side135 andfifth side136. The sides131-136 form the rectangular receptacle ofcase100 and are appropriately dimensioned to receive and stow one or more portable devices such as a headset and/or mobile phone. In active mode, thefirst surface130 is exposed and visible to the user as illustrated inFIG. 9. Thefirst side131 may comprisereflective stripes110 to assist in increasing the user's visibility. This is particularly advantageous when the case is used during the night. In another embodiment thefirst side131 may comprise a transparent plastic such that the stored devices may be visible to the user. Thefirst side131 may also comprise apertures to allow the user to touch and/or control the stored devices.
• Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 3A,FIG. 3B, andFIG. 3C, thecase100 further comprises aflap122 coupled at one end to the fifth side153. Theflap122 is coupled at thefifth side135 between thezipper track115 andfirst surface131 as shown inFIG. 3A. Thefastener120 in the form of a strap buckle and is coupled to another end of theflap122. Theflap122 extends thefastener120 from the body of thecase100 so thefastener120 is more easily accessible to the user. Thefastener120 is used in conjunction with thearmband150 to fasten thecase100 to a user's arm when in use. It will be appreciated that thefastener120 can also take the form of alternative fasteners in combination with a strap for securing thecase100 to a user's arm such as a magnet, button, belt buckle, hook or lace. In an alternative embodiment, thefastener120 and/orflap122 may be detachable from thecase100.
• Azipper track115 in combination withzipper head116 fastens and open/closes the perimeter of thecase100 to prevent the stowed devices from falling out and to facilitate safe storage while thecase100 is worn. Thezipper track115 is disposed on thethird side133,fifth side135, andsixth side136 of the case. In this embodiment, thezipper track115 is disposed along the entire mid-section of the third side133 (FIG. 3C) and disposed along two-thirds of the mid-section of the fifth side135 (FIG. 3A) and two-thirds of the mid-section of sixth side136 (FIG. 3B). Thecase100 may also have anaperture125 for routing wires such as the case when wired headphones are utilized with the electronic device. In this embodiment theaperture125 is located on thefourth side134 as illustrated inFIG. 3D, but one or more apertures may also be located on any side of the case.
• Thecase100 may be configured to take other shapes and forms to fit the form factor of portable electronic devices and/or accessories to be carried. For example, the case may be dimensioned to be smaller with a square form in order to receive an Apple® iPod Shuffle (4^thgeneration). The material selected for thecase100 allows the case to be flexibly pliable such that the user may reverse the case inside-out without permanent deformity; the case material is also appropriate for wearing on a person. In one embodiment, thecase100 is made from neoprene or cloth. Furthermore, each side may comprise of different material that is coupled together to create the receptacle. Alternatively the case may be made of one piece of material that is arranged into the appropriate shape.
• Referring toFIGS. 1-3, thearmband150 is coupled at one end to thecase100 at thesixth side136, in betweenzipper track115 andfirst side131 as shown inFIG. 3B andFIG. 3C. The opposite end of thearmband150 is free. The length of the armband is sufficiently long to enclose the perimeter of a user's arm. Additionally, the size and length of thearmband150 is selected such that thearmband150 may be stored within thecase100 when thecase100 is in storage mode. In this embodiment, thearmband150 is made from the same material as thecase100. In an alternative embodiment, thearmband150 may be made from a separate material and may be detachable fromcase100. Alternatively the armband may comprise two or more straps; the straps may be coupled to thecase100 at more than one side. Furthermore, the armband may also be dimensioned and designed to be fastened on another limb or body part of a user, such as an ankle, head or wrist.
• FIGS. 4-6 illustrates thecase100 for receiving and storing portable devices when the case is used in storage mode. In storage mode, thesecond surface230 andsecond zipper head216 is exposed and accessible to the user. Thesecond surface230 comprises aseventh side231, aneighth side232, aninth side233, atenth side234, aeleventh side235 andtwelfth side236. Thearmband150 is disposed inside the case100 (FIG. 6) enclosed by thefirst surface130; thefirst surface130 forms the case's100 inner surface when in storage mode. Aloop245 is coupled to thesecond surface230 at theeleventh side235. Aharbinger240 is coupled at an end ofloop245. Theharbinger240 is used to secure the case to the user or other object such as a belt, backpack or purse. It can be appreciated that any type of fastener in combination with or without theloop245 can be used to secure thecase100 to an object.
• Referring toFIG. 6, shown is thecase100 in storage mode and partially opened. To open thecase100, thezipper head216 is pulled to the opposite end of thezipper track115 located near theloop245. Thearm strap150 and aheadset610 are stored inside thecase100.
• Referring toFIG. 7, shown is thecase100 open in active mode. To open thecase100, thezipper head116 is pulled toside136. A mobile phone710 is stored in thecase100, encompassed by thesecond surface230. If thefirst surface131 comprises a transparent plastic face, the front of the mobile phone710 may face the same direction asfirst surface131 so the user can see and access the mobile phone710 while stored.
• To switch to and from active and storage mode, the case's100 surfaces are reversed by turning thecase100 inside-out. In storage mode, thefirst surface130 is the outer surface of the case, exposed and visible to the user, while the second surface forms230 is inside surface of thecase100. As seen fromFIGS. 5-8, thefirst surface130 andsecond surface230 are opposing, corresponding surfaces ofcase100. That is thefirst surface130 is observe and reverse to the second surface210.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a user changing thecase100 from storage mode to active mode. To change the case's100 mode, the user turns the case inside-out such thatsecond surface230 changes from facing inwardly to facing outwardly (i.e. exposed to the environment). Consequently, thefirst surface130 changes from facing outwardly to facing inwardly. In one embodiment, to turn the case inside-out the user unzips thecase100 usingzipper head216 to completely unzip thezipper track115. Then, the user may remove any devices and accessories that thecase100 is storing, such as aheadset610. Next, the user holds a portion of thecase100 comprising first andseventh sides131/231 and a portion of thecase100 comprising second andeighth sides132/232 using thefingers810 of both hands. Then the user pushes, exerting force, on theeleventh side234 in the direction of AA with one or boththumbs815 while pulling the portions comprising first andseventh sides131/231 and portions comprising second andeighth sides132/232 in opposing directions as indicated by arrows B1 and B2 until thecase100 is turned inside-out.
• Thecase100 is reversed when thefirst surface130 is the outer surface of the case, exposed and visible to the user, while the second surface forms230 is inside surface of thecase100 as illustrated in FIGS.1,2,7 and9. Each side will be orientated in an opposite direction when the case is reversed relative to the direction of the side was orientated when the case was in a previous mode. For example, in storage mode,seventh side231 andeleventh side232 are generally facing away from each other while in active modeseventh side231 andeleventh side232 are generally facing toward each other. To change thecase100 from active mode to storage mode, a similar procedure as illustrated inFIG. 8 is performed with the additional step of the disposing thearmband150 andfastener120 within the case after the reverse is complete.
• The case transforms into a wearable armband, eliminating the need for two separate devices. In storage mode, the case assists the users in carrying and protecting portable devices. Because the armband and fastener may be stored inside the case while in storage mode, the form factor of the case is much like pouch. Storing the armband and fastener within the case in storage mode prevents the armband and fastener from inadvertently “snagging” or “hooking” other objects surrounding the case, keeping the armband and fastener safe. In active mode, the case conveniently stores devices on the users arm, making the device easily accessible to the user while performing a physical activity such as running.
• The dual functionality of the reversible case and armband is particularly useful when the case stores a headset or headphones while in storage mode. In one example, a user may prefer to store a headset in the case while in storage mode and carry a mobile phone elsewhere (e.g. a pocket, belt clip). When the user wishes to listen to music while performing a physical activity, it is often preferred the mobile phone is securely stored and accessible while the activity is performed. The user may then remove the headset from the case (FIG. 6) and don the headset. Then, the case may be reversed into active mode (as illustrated inFIG. 8) and attached to the user's arm. The mobile phone may then be securely stored in the case while on the user's arm. In the case of a wired embodiment, the headset may be connected to the mobile phone via a wire passing through an aperture in the case. Alternatively the user may connect the mobile phone and headset wirelessly, such as Bluetooth, as illustrated inFIG. 9.

Claims (24)

What is claimed:

1. A portable storage device comprising

a receptacle comprising

a first surface;

a second surface;

wherein the receptacle is reversible to a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode an inner surface of the receptacle comprises the first surface and an outer surface of the receptacle comprises the second surface and wherein in the second mode an inner surface of the receptacle comprises the second surface and an outer surface of the receptacle comprises the first surface; and

an armband coupled to the receptacle.

2. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, wherein the first surface is orientated in a first direction and the second surface is orientated in a second direction generally opposite of the first direction.

3. The portable store device ofclaim 1, where in the first surface is obverse and reverse from the second surface.

4. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, wherein the armband is disposed within the inner surface of the receptacle when the receptacle is in the second mode.

5. The portable storage device ofclaim 4, wherein the armband is free in the first mode.

6. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, further comprising a two-way zipper coupled to the receptacle.

7. The portable storage device ofclaim 6, wherein the two-way zipper is open prior to reversing the receptacle to and from the first mode and second mode.

8. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, wherein at least three forces are applied to the receptacle when the receptacle is reversed.

9. The portable storage device ofclaim 8, wherein at least two forces are in opposing directions.

10. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, further comprising a fastener coupled to the receptacle.

11. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a reflective element.

12. The portable storage device ofclaim 1, wherein the armband comprises a loops and hook fastener.

13. A reversible portable storage device comprising

a flexible receptacle having two opposed surfaces, wherein each surface is capable of forming an outer surface and an inner surface of the receptacle; and

an armband coupled to the receptacle.

14. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein the opposed surfaces are made from a single piece of material.

15. The portable store device ofclaim 11, wherein the opposed surfaces are obverse and reverse.

16. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein the armband is disposed within the inner surface of the receptacle.

17. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein the armband comprises a loops and hook fastener.

18. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, further comprising a two-way zipper coupled to the receptacle.

19. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein at least three forces are applied to the receptacle when the receptacle is reversed.

20. The portable storage device ofclaim 19, wherein at least two forces are in opposing directions.

21. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, further comprising a fastener coupled to the receptacle.

22. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein at least one surface comprises a reflective element.

23. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein at least one surface is partially transparent.

24. The portable storage device ofclaim 11, wherein at least one surface comprises an aperture.

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