Accordion Extending Sockets for Multi-Function Media Player Cases

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for portable media player cases that can perform multiple functions such as storing headphone cords, serving as stand legs, gaming grips, belt mounts, and allowing hands-free operation without significantly increasing the effective size of the player.

Innovation Solution

The development of portable media player cases with extendable sockets, featuring accordion structures with flexural hinges and buttons that can be extended to form stands, grips, and mounts, while allowing cords to be wound around them to prevent tangling and collapse for space-saving, and can be attached via snap-fit or suction cups for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective case is added to the media player, then protection from scratching and damage is improved, but the effective size of the player increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoideffective size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the protective case including extending sockets for belt mounting, stand legs for positioning, gaming grips for control, and headphone cord storage, allowing the case to serve as protection plus multiple additional functions without requiring separate accessories

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functional features are added to the case, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcase structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into functional modules including extendable sockets with accordion mechanisms, removable stand legs, integrated gaming grips, and cord storage compartments, allowing each feature to be independently designed and implemented

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extending sockets use accordion mechanisms that can dynamically extend and retract to provide belt mounting capability only when needed, while maintaining a compact profile during normal use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If extending sockets are added for belt mounting, then adaptability is improved, but the effective size increases when extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoideffective size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The extending sockets utilize accordion mechanisms that can dynamically extend when belt mounting is required and retract to a compact size during normal use, providing adaptive functionality without permanently increasing the device footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2686751B2Extending socket for portable media player

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 POPSOCKETS LLC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1E
Figure 2

AI summary

Extending sockets (24), formed of accordions (2) generally with buttons (1) attached at their distal ends, for attaching to portable media players (200) or portable media player cases (100, 101). Cases having attached sockets serve purposes beyond protection of the player, such as managing a headset, attaching to belts (28) 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 (27) to be wound around the accordions when the sockets are extended, to prevent the cords from tangling. Space (15) 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.