Portable digital media player case

Abstract

A case for a portable digital media player includes a front surface being substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material. Therefore, the front surface completely covers but allows use of a display and a control of the portable digital media player, during use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to a portable digital media player case providing protection against damage.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Portable digital media players, such as the Apple iPod, have become increasingly popular and therefore a number of cases have been proposed to protect such devices.[0005]A case sold by Speck Products under the designation Flip Stand is clear, permitting the user of the portable digital media player to see through the case. However, cutouts are provided in the case for controls and display, such as the click wheel and display screen of an iPod. The Micro Shield case of the company XtremeMac is similarly clear and also has openings formed therein for controls. The Claro case by iskin again has openings in a clear case for operation of the controls. Finally, the company Agent 18 markets a case for the iPod Nano which also has an open control area.[0006]A common disadvantage of all o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The substantially uninterrupted front surface protects the portable digital media player from damage due to handling and shocks and prevents liquids and debris from entering the case. The transparent, flexible material allows the portable digital media player to be operated with the case closed. Another way to explain the case according to the invention, is that the front surface which is substantially uninterrupted and formed of a transparent, flexible material, completely covers the display and the control of the portable digital media player, such as the display screen and the click wheel of an iPod, during normal use of the portable digital media player and the case.

[0010]In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the front surface is movable between a closed position and an open position. The front surface is interrupted in the open position and substantially uninterrupted in the closed position. Thus, during normal use, when the case is closed, the front surface is substantially uninterrupted, providing the advantageous protection from damage.

[0012]In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the base and the slider are mutually sealed and separated at a parting line in the front surface. Materials such as polycarbonate effectively seal at the parting line, preventing entry of unwanted substances.

[0013]In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the base has tracks and the slider has pins engaging and sliding in the tracks. The tracks each have an end with a stop preventing the slider from falling off the base in the open position. Tracks each have an L-shaped end permitting the slider to be lifted off the base. The slider is movable about the pins in the tracks into a pivoted position, permitting the portable digital media player to be inserted into and removed from the case. Therefore, great flexibility in opening and closing the case are provided, so that easy access to the portable digital media player is accomplished.

Problems solved by technology

A common disadvantage of all of the prior art cases is that they do not protect all of the controls and displays against damage.

Such damage may come from liquids or solids which may accidentally enter through openings or from shocks due to normal handling or unintended or accidental misuse that can affect the portable digital media player.

Images