Protective Case

Abstract

A device for the storage of emergency information or items provided in a water-resistant protective case wherein the case is easily transportable or may be molded or formed into a larger structural component, the protective case including a base and a top hinged to said base to provide water-resistant sealing allowed in an open or closed position. The case base and top having side walls to create a volume within the case to provide storage within the case for items or emergency information.

Claims

1. A protective case, comprising: a base portion and a top portion; the top portion configured to connect to the base portion via a hinge and alternatively disconnect from the base portion via said hinge, the base portion and top portion forming an interior volume while jointly connected; wherein the base portion comprises a front wall, a back wall, a plurality of side walls, and a base deck having an interior and an exterior face; wherein the top portion comprises a front wall, a back wall, a plurality of side walls, and a top deck having an interior and an exterior face; a plurality of raised protrusions attached to the base deck of the base portion; a thumb press releasable latch disposed at the front wall of the base portion extending beyond said base portion, said thumb press releasable latch having a plurality of vertical walls and an exterior upper face; and a plurality of external projections on the exterior face of the top deck of the case top portion.

2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the exterior face of the base deck of the base portion additionally comprises a plurality of depressions.

3. The protective case of claim 2, wherein the top portion additionally comprises a thumb lift wing extending beyond said top portion.

4. The protective case of claim 3, wherein the thumb press releasable latch additionally defines an opening between the vertical walls of the thumb lift wing.

5. The protective case of claim 4, wherein the top portion additionally comprises a shoulder tab extending beyond said top portion and adapted to be received in the opening defined in the thumb press releasable latch.

6. The protective case of claim 5, wherein reflective adhesive labels are placed within the external projections on the exterior face of the top deck of the top portion.

7. The protective case of claim 6, wherein one of a hook and loop fastener, adhesive tape, and a magnet are positioned within the depressions formed on the exterior face of the case base deck.

8. A protective case for the containment of items, said protective case comprising: a case base comprising two vertical side walls, a vertical front wall, a vertical back wall, and a case base deck having an interior face and an exterior face; wherein a ridge wall is formed around the circumference of the vertical side walls, vertical front wall, and vertical back wall of the case base; a case top comprising two vertical side walls, a vertical front wall, a vertical back wall, and a case top deck having an interior face and an exterior face; wherein an inner channel is formed around the circumference of the vertical side walls, vertical front wall, and vertical back wall of the case top; a hinge having a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein the first distal end is attached to the case base, and the second distal end is attached to the case top; wherein the case top is removably connected to the case base forming an interior volume between the case base deck interior and the case top deck interior; a thumb press releasable latch comprising a plurality of vertical side walls and an exterior face, said thumb press releasable latch attached to the front wall of the case base and extending vertically away from the case base deck; and a shoulder tab adapted to be removably connected to the thumb press releasable latch, said shoulder tab attached to the front wall of the case top and extending away from said front wall of the case top.

9. The protective case of claim 8, wherein external projections are formed on the exterior face of the case top deck.

10. The protective case of claim 9, wherein adhesive labels are positioned within the external projections formed on the exterior face of the case top deck.

11. The protective case of claim 10, wherein depressions are formed on the exterior face of the case base deck.

12. The protective case of claim 11, wherein one of a hook and loop fastener, adhesive tape, and a magnet are positioned within the depressions formed on the exterior face of the case base deck.

13. The protective case of claim 12, wherein a gasket is provided within the inner channel formed around the circumference of the vertical side walls, vertical front wall, and vertical back wall of the case top.

14. The protective case of claim 12, wherein a gasket is provided on the ridge wall around the circumference of the vertical side walls, vertical front wall, and vertical back wall of the case base.

15. A protective case with a first shell mating case and a second shell mating case defining an interior volume when the first shell case and second shell case are mated, said protective case comprising: a first shell case base comprising a plurality of side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a case base deck having an interior face and an exterior face; a plurality of raised protrusions extending vertically away from the case base deck; a plurality of vertical posts extending vertically away from the case base deck; a keeper projection attached to the interior of the back wall of the case base; a thumb press releasable latch comprising a plurality of vertical side walls and defining an opening between the side walls, said thumb press releasable latch attached to the front wall of the case base and extending away from said case base; a second shell case top comprising a plurality of side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a case top deck having an interior face and an exterior face; a plurality of thumb wings attached to the front wall of the case top and extending away from said case top; a shoulder tab attached to the front wall of the case top and extending away from said case top; wherein the shoulder tab is adapted to be received in the opening defined between the vertical side walls of the thumb press releasable latch; a hinge having a first distal end and a second distal end; wherein the first distal end of the hinge is connected to the case base; and wherein the second distal end of the hinge is connected to the case top.

16. The protective case of claim 15, wherein the exterior face of the case top deck additionally comprises a plurality of external projections.

17. The protective case of claim 16, wherein reflective adhesive labels are positioned within the plurality of external projections of the case top deck exterior face.

18. The protective case of claim 17, wherein the exterior face of the case base deck additionally comprises a plurality of depressions.

19. The protective case of claim 18, wherein the depressions of the case top deck form one of a symbol, design, and word.

20. The protective case of claim 19, wherein the protective case is made from a single plastic material.

Description

DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

[0020] One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective case while said case is in an open position with the case top and case base exposing the volume of the case shells;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the protective case while said case is in a closed position;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the protective case showing a case base hinged to a case top in an open position;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the protective case wherein the protective case is inverted and deployed in an open position; and

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective case wherein the protective case is inverted, deployed in an open position, and the thumb press releasable latch is shown with a defined opening between the thumb press sidewalls.

[0026] Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details or modes of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or previously disclosed illustrations. This invention is capable of multiple embodiments and modes, which can be practiced or carried out in many various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting, or used as an absolute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a protective case 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention that is in an open configuration with both case shells 20, meaning the case top 30 and the case base 40 removably connected by a hinge 50, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] In one aspect of the invention as contemplated herein, the interior of the case base 40 shows raised protrusions 60 and a keeper projection 70 contained within the volume of the shells 80, as well as two vertical posts 90. The raised protrusions 60, keeper projection 70, and the vertical posts 90 are all dimensioned in a direction away from the case base deck 150. The volume of the shells is a phrase used herein to describe the volume created between the case top 30 and case base 40 when they are in a closed hinged position, meaning the case top 30 is generally resting on the case base 40, as shown in FIG. 2. The case base 40 contains case base side walls 140 (shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) which in conjunction with the case base deck 150, creates a depression within the case base 40 on the case base deck 150. Similarly, the case top 30 contains case top side walls 160, shown in FIG. 4, which in conjunction with the case top deck 170, creates an interior shell within the case top 30. This shell in the case top 30 combined with the similarly created shell in the case base 40, from the case base side walls 140, when the protective case 10 is in a closed position, as in FIG. 2, together creates this volume of the shells 80. Thus, the volume of the shells 80 is the created volume of the case base deck 150, case top deck 170, the case base side walls 140, and the case top side walls 160 when the protective case 10 is in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0029] As previously alluded to, the case base side walls 140 and the case top side walls 160 provide a three-dimensional component to create the shells as referred to above. These sidewalls are preferably from the same material as the case top 30 and the case base 40, to provide stability. The height of the side walls is customizable, as the greater the height of each case shell 20 sidewall creates linearly more volume within the shells of said case shell(s) 20. It is contemplated that the protective case 10 may have alternative forms, or models, where the case shell 20 sidewalls are at such a height that items that a GPS transponder, a small first-aid kit, a flashlight, or other emergency kit items could be contained therein.

[0030] The keeper projection 70 is contemplated as a protrusion of material extending from the case base deck 150 that can act as a holder for small pieces of information, such as an index card, business card, or similar item. In a similar fashion the raised protrusions 60 act as does the keeper projection 70 but at an alternate location. The size and quantity of the keeper projection 70 and the raised protrusions 60 are able to be modified for different versions of the present invention, and as such different models of the protective case 10 as contemplated herein may feature differing size keeper projection 70, or possibly multiple keeper projections 70.

[0031] Similarly, the raised protrusions 60 size and quantity may be adjusted in the invention as contemplated herein. It is presently thought that these optional features, the raised protrusions 60 and the keeper projection 70, may act as a standing guide for cardboard, paper, or the like when the protective case 10 is in a longitudinal or latitudinal position, such that the information does not slide out of the protective case 10 when said protective case 10 is in an unhinged, open position.

[0032] The vertical posts 90 as shown in FIG. 1 are provided to act in a dual-function capacity. The vertical posts 90 can provide vertical support to larger items contained within the volume of the shells 80 while the protective case 10 is in a vertical position. However, the vertical posts 90 also provide resistance to a load in the z-dimension of the protective case 10, this being the dimension vertically through the center of the case base deck 150 and the case top deck 170. As such, the location, size, and quantity of the vertical posts 90 may differ depending on the desired circumstances, location, and area of use for a particular protective case 10.

[0033] An inner channel 100 may be provided on one of the case shells 20 to enhance the water-resistant nature of the protective case 10. The inner channel 100 is a tubular cavity groove located on or near the perimeter of a case shell 20. The inner channel 100 receives a ridge wall 110, which is located on the opposite case shell 20. The ridge wall 110 is dimensioned such as to contact and be secured in the inner channel 100 to provide a generally water-resistant seal when the protective case 10 is closed. Although not depicted in any of the illustrations, it is contemplated that a rubber seal may additionally be provided such as to provide additional water-resistant characteristics. This optional rubber seal may be attached to either the ridge wall 110 or the inner channel 100 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0034] To seal the protective case 10 in the closed position, a latching mechanism is provided, such as a thumb press releasable latch 180. The thumb press releasable latch 180 is located on the perimeter of one of the case shells 20, and contacts with a shoulder tab 190 (as shown in FIG. 3) on the other case shell 20 when the protective case 10 is in a closed position. The shoulder tab 190 preferably is a compression latch which may be received within a cavity or an opening defined within the thumb press releasable latch 180, known herein as the thumb press opening 210 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0035] The thumb press releasable latch 180, when contacted with the shoulder tab 190, can be released from the connectivity with the shoulder tab 190 by applying downward pressure on the thumb press exterior face 200. When the thumb press exterior face 200 has said downward pressure applied, the thumb press releasable latch 180 shifts in a direction away from the protective case 10, which disengages the shoulder tab 190 from the thumb press opening 210.

[0036] Turning now to FIG. 2, the protective case 10 is shown in a closed position, where the shoulder tab 190 is connected to the thumb press releasable latch 180 by way of engagement within the thumb press opening 210. Also in this figure, the height of the case base side walls 140 and the case top side walls 160 is shown. Looking at the case top exterior 120, which is the exterior of the case top 30 or the inverse of the case top deck 170, there is shown a preferred but exemplary embodiment of the protective case 10 wherein concave depressions 220 are formed. These concave depressions 220 allow a user to apply a label, paint, or other device therein to increase rapid identification of the protective case 10 itself. The concave depressions 220 in the present example form words in the English language, but it may also be in the form of a pattern, logo, symbol, or words of any language.

[0037] An alternative to the previously mentioned concave depressions 220 which may be used to increase visibility is also shown here, by way of external projections 230 located on the case top exterior 120. The external projections 230 act in a similar fashion to the concave depressions 220, but instead of being a pit in the case top exterior 120 material, it is a protrusion of material therefrom. These external projections 230, or protrusions, can work together to form a symbol, as illustrated here, but may also form a pattern, logo, or words of any language. Echoing the statement of the concave depressions 220, the external projections are dimensioned such that a label, paint, or other device therein may increase rapid identification of the protective case 10.

[0038] In this embodiment, thumb lift wings 240 are shown, which are protrusions from the perimeter of the case top 30 similar to the thumb press releasable latch 180. The thumb lift wings 240 are used in conjunction with the releasing of the thumb press releasable latch 180. When the shoulder tab 190 is separated from the thumb press opening 210, a user can lift the case top 30 from its position by applying upward pressure on the bottom of the thumb lift wings 240, known as the thumb lift bottom 250, and shown in FIG. 3.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the protective case 10 with the hinge 50 shown, and the protective case 10 deployed in an open position. In this illustrated embodiment, the case base 40 is a separate entity, though as described above it may be formed within a car dashboard cover or molded, formed, or otherwise constructed in any other structure for permanence.

[0040] As shown here, the case top 30 is displayed in a side view, with the thumb lift bottom 250 depicted. The thumb lift bottom 250 is where a user would apply pressure to assist in the disengagement of the shoulder tab 190 from the thumb press opening 210 and thus the thumb press releasable latch 180.

[0041] In FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of the protective case 10 is shown, with the case shells 20 deployed in an inverted position. The case top 30 is shown with case top concave depressions 220 and external projections 230. Additionally, the case base 40 contains case base depressions 260 which act in a similar fashion to the case top concave depressions 220 on the case top 30. A user may use a label, paint, or other device to increase rapid identification and spatial location of the protective case 10 in an emergency situation. These case base depressions 260 may take the form of a symbol, a logo, words of any language, or a pattern. As shown here, the protective case 10 is generally rectangular with a pair of elongate and generally straight edges that extend substantially the length of the protective case 10. Here, the protective case 10 material is made from a heat-resistant material such as a polymer. The material may be one of high-density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyphenylene, ABS polymer, a thermoset plastic, polyvinyl chloride, and a polyamide. It is thought that the entirety of the protective case 10 is made from the same material, though it is contemplated that one could create an embodiment of the protective case 10 from multiple different materials.

[0042] Looking now at FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of the protective case 10 is shown with the hinge 50 or spring in an open position, wherein the case top 30 and the case base 40 are not presently mated or coupled. Also, the thumb press opening 210 is shown as an opening defined between the thumb press side walls 270 of the thumb press releasable latch 180. It is within this opening that the shoulder tab 190 is adapted to mate so as to close the shells 20, being the case top 30 and the case base 40, of the protective case 10. In this embodiment, the case top exterior 120 has multiple external projections 230, so as to receive an adhesive label, such as reflective one to enhance visibility.

[0043] Understandably, the present protective case 10 has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments or models. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the protective case 10, to those skilled in the art of which this invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications, models, and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.