Carrying receptacle

Abstract

A method (and device so formed) for adapting a skin type decorative and protective case customized for fitting a hand held electronic device having a viewing screen and / or keyboard and configured for remaining on the device during use of the device. The method comprises the steps of forming the skin with a slot for insertion of thin items such as credit cards and money into a pocket either between walls of the case or between a wall of the case and an electronic device inserted in the skin case. The pockets are provided with elements to minimize any change of appearance of the original profile and elements for assisting in removing the items from the snug pocket element. The pockets further include elements for maintaining the integrity thereof relative to the remainder of the casing. The pocket may alternatively be directly integrated as part of the device housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to decorative or protective “skins” (close fitting cases or casings) customized for and used with hand held electronic devices such as cell phones, PDAs and mp3 players while the devices are in use, and particularly relates to functional modifications thereof for use as holding or carrying receptacles for other items.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There is a growing trend toward minimization and integration, with the constant need to reduce the size and number of items people find necessary to carry with them. Items currently deemed to be necessities include cell phones such as the iPhone®, Treo® and Blackberry® (trademarks for specific brand cell phones); mp3 players such as the iPod®; wallets containing money, credit cards (and ATM cards), ID materials such as driver's licenses and car registrations; and to a lesser extent, handheld computers known as PDAs, digital cameras, etc.[0003]At the top of the necessity list, cell phones...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is another object of the present invention to provide access aid elements to the mechanical holding elements to facilitate ready removal of the essentials being held.

[0012]The present invention further comprises a method for adapting the skin to have a pocket element of structural integrity of sufficient size configured to snugly hold several credit cards, and / or other items such as ID, money and the like, of the same or similar dimension with minimal if any change in thickness of the profile of the electronic device. The method comprises the steps of forming the skin with a slot for insertion of thin items such as credit cards and money into a pocket either between walls of the case or between a wall of the case and an electronic device inserted in the skin case. The pockets are provided with elements to minimize any change of appearance of the original profile and elements for assisting in removing the items from the snug pocket element. The pockets further include elements for maintaining the integrity thereof relative to the remainder of the casing. The invention further comprises the skin case so formed.

Problems solved by technology

However, while integration of electronic functions has been taking place, very little has been done to integrate mechanical carrying functions with cell phones or other hand held devices.

Because of their skin tight and close fitting characteristics and decorative nature, skins are not amenable to other uses.

Images