FLOATING CASE

Abstract

A floating case has a rigid layer and an alternate joined buoyant layer. The rigid layer has at least one chamber for a larger memory card and at least one minor chamber for a smaller memory card. Each chamber has first tabs, second tabs, and a tongue that secure a memory card. The buoyant layer displaces water so that the device floats and preferably has the rigid layer floating above the water. The device and its layers have a left end, a right end, a front, a back, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first corner and at least one second corner. The rigid layer and the buoyant layer have a waterproof construction and the buoyant layer has a light weight to volume ratio. In an alternate embodiment, the device has a hole through its top surface and the bottom surface for a lanyard.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a planar rigid layer, said rigid layer having at least one chamber therein and at least one minor chamber outwardly from said at least one chamber, wherein said device is adapted to hold memory cards of at least one size.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a buoyant layer joining to said rigid layer beneath said at least one chamber and said at least one minor chamber; to said buoyant layer joining to rigid layer using one of an adhesive, a cohesive, thermal welding, mechanical fastener, and a resin; and, wherein said device floats on freshwater and on saltwater.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said device has at least neutral buoyancy.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said device has positive buoyancy.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising said device self righting.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said floating device floats with said rigid layer above said buoyant layer; said floating device has a center of buoyancy and a center of gravity further upwardly from said rigid layer than said center of buoyancy; and, said floating device has a draft less than fifty per centum of its thickness when loaded.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising: said floating device having a length and a centerline parallel to the length; said at least one chamber having at least one first tab outwardly from said centerline and at least one second tab inwardly of said at least one first tab; wherein said at least one first tab and said at least one second tab have a spacing from said at least one chamber so that said at least one chamber is adapted to receive a memory card inserted therein beneath said at least one first tab and said at least one second tab; said at least one minor chamber having at least one first tab outwardly from said centerline and at least one third tab inwardly of said at least one first tab and outwardly of said at least one second tab; and, wherein said at least one first tab and said at least one third tab have a spacing from said at least one minor chamber so that said at least one minor chamber is adapted to receive a memory card inserted therein beneath said at least one first tab and said at least one third tab.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising: said at least one chamber having a tongue centered upon said at least one chamber and extending outwardly from the centerline, said tongue extending outwardly from said at least one chamber as a cantilever, said tongue having a lip opposite said at least one chamber, said lip extending upwardly and opposite said buoyant layer; said at least one minor chamber having a tongue centered upon said at least one minor chamber and extending outwardly from the centerline, said tongue extending outwardly from said at least one minor chamber as a cantilever, said tongue having a lip opposite said at least one minor chamber, said lip extending upwardly and opposite said buoyant layer; and, wherein said lip of said tongue of said at least one chamber and said lip of said tongue of said at least one minor chamber is adapted to abut a memory card inserted into said at least one chamber and said at least one minor chamber respectively.

9. The device of claim 7 further comprising: five minor chambers in mutual alignment with said lips of each of said tongues of each of said minor chamber being collinear, said five minor chambers forming a first row inward from said at least one chamber; five minor chambers in mutual alignment with said lips of each of said tongues of each of said minor chamber being collinear, said five minor chambers forming a second row opposite said first row of five minor chambers; and, wherein said device is adapted to hold memory cards of two sizes.

10. A device that stores memory cards comprising: a planar buoyant layer; a planar rigid layer mutually parallel to and above said buoyant layer, said rigid layer joining to said buoyant layer, said rigid layer having at least one chamber therein; and, wherein said device floats on freshwater and on saltwater.

11. The memory card storage device of claim 10 further comprising: said memory card storage device having a length and a centerline parallel to the length; said at least one chamber having at least one first tab outwardly from said centerline and at least one second tab inwardly of said at least one first tab; and, wherein said at least one first tab and said at least one second tab having a spacing from said at least one chamber so that said at least one chamber is adapted to receive a memory card inserted therein.

12. The memory card storage device of claim 11 further comprising: said at least one chamber having a tongue centered upon said at least one chamber and extending outwardly from the centerline, said tongue extending outwardly from said at least one chamber as a cantilever, said tongue having a lip opposite said at least one chamber, said lip extending upwardly and opposite said buoyant layer; and, wherein said lip of said tongue of said at least one chamber is adapted to abut a memory card inserted into said at least one chamber.

13. The memory card storage device of claim 12 further comprising: said rigid layer having two chambers mutually opposite the centerline and coplanar.

14. The memory card storage device of claim 12 further comprising: said rigid layer having at least one chamber therein and at least one minor chamber therein outwardly from said at least one chamber; said at least one minor chamber having at least one first tab outwardly from said centerline and at least one third tab inwardly of said at least one first tab; said at least one minor chamber having a tongue centered upon said at least one minor chamber and extending outwardly from the centerline, said tongue extending outwardly from said at least one minor chamber as a cantilever, said tongue having a lip opposite said at least one minor chamber, said lip extending upwardly and opposite said buoyant layer; wherein said at least one first tab and said at least one third tab having a spacing from said at least one minor chamber so that said at least one minor chamber is adapted to receive a memory card inserted therein; and, wherein said lip of said tongue of said at least one minor chamber is adapted to abut a memory card inserted into said at least one minor chamber.

15. The memory card storage device of claim 14 further comprising: five minor chambers in mutual alignment with said lips of each of said tongues of each of said minor chamber being collinear, said five minor chambers forming a first row inward from said at least one chamber; five minor chambers in mutual alignment with said lips of each of said tongues of each of said minor chamber being collinear, said five minor chambers forming a second row opposite said first row of five minor chambers; and, wherein said floating and memory card storage device is adapted to hold memory cards of two sizes.

16. The memory card storage device of claim 10 further comprising: said buoyant layer joining to rigid layer using an adhesive, a resin, a cohesive, thermal welding, or a mechanical fastener.

17. The memory card storage device of claim 16 further comprising: said memory card storage device having a density less than that of freshwater.

18. The memory card storage device of claim 17 further comprising: said memory card storage device having positive buoyancy; and, said memory card storage device being self righting.

19. A floating device comprising: a rigid layer, said rigid layer having at least one chamber therein and at least one minor chamber therein outwardly from said at least one chamber; said floating device having a length and a centerline parallel to the length; said at least one chamber having at least one first tab outwardly from said centerline and at least one second tab inwardly of said at least one first tab wherein said at least one first tab and said at least one second tab have a spacing from said at least one chamber so that said at least one chamber is adapted to receive a memory card inserted therein beneath said at least one first tab and said at least one second tab; said at least one minor chamber having at least one first tab outwardly from said centerline and at least one third tab inwardly of said at least one first tab and outwardly of said at least one second tab, wherein said at least one first tab and said at least one third tab have a spacing from said at least one minor chamber so that said at least one minor chamber is adapted to receive a memory card inserted therein said at least one first tab and said at least one third tab; said at least one chamber having a tongue centered upon said at least one chamber and extending outwardly from the centerline, said tongue extending outwardly from said at least one chamber as a cantilever, said tongue having a lip opposite said at least one chamber, said lip extending upwardly and opposite said buoyant layer; said at least one minor chamber having a tongue centered upon said at least one minor chamber and extending outwardly from the centerline, said tongue extending outwardly from said at least one minor chamber as a cantilever, said tongue having a lip opposite said at least one minor chamber, said lip extending upwardly and opposite said buoyant layer; wherein said lip of said tongue of said at least one chamber and said lip of said tongue of said at least one minor chamber is adapted to abut a memory card inserted into said at least one chamber and said at least one minor chamber; wherein said device is adapted to hold memory cards of two sizes; a buoyant layer joining to said rigid layer beneath said at least one chamber and said at least one minor chamber, said buoyant layer joining to rigid layer using one of an adhesive, cohesive, thermal welding, and mechanical fastener, wherein said device has at least neutral buoyancy, floats on freshwater and on saltwater, and self rights; said floating device floating with said rigid layer above said buoyant layer; said floating device having a center of buoyancy and a center of gravity further upwardly from said rigid layer than said center of buoyancy; and, said floating device having a draft less than fifty per centum of its thickness when loaded.

20. The floating device of claim 19 further comprising: five minor chambers in mutual alignment with said lips of each of said tongues of each of said minor chamber being collinear, said five minor chambers forming a first row inward from said at least one chamber; and, five minor chambers in mutual alignment with said lips of each of said tongues of each of said minor chamber being collinear, said five minor chambers forming a second row opposite said first row of five minor chambers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In referring to the drawings,

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 provides a side view of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 provides a side view of the present invention opposite that of FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the present invention; and,

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view through the present invention.

[0029] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a floating case for memory cards of electronic equipment, typically cameras. The present invention provides a case with sufficient displacement so that it floats when fully loaded with the heaviest memory cards.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the invention 1 having a size similar to that of a North American credit card, though not confined to that size. The invention, or case, has a generally rectangular shape with a front 2 and a mutually parallel and spaced apart back 3, and a left end 4 and a mutually parallel and spaced apart right end 5. The invention has a length, generally the long dimension of the invention here shown as left to right, and a centerline parallel to the length, that is, the front and the back. The left end and the right end are generally perpendicular to the front and the back as shown. The back and the left end merge at a first corner 6 and the left end and the front merge at a second corner 7. The front and the right end, and the right end and the back also each merge at a second corner 7 as well. The first corner and the second corners generally have a rounded shape. A top surface 8 spans between the left end and the right end, and the front and the back, and occupies the foreground in this view. The top surface near the first corner has a hole 9 through the device that receives a lanyard or other keeper, not shown. The top surface also has a chamber 10 inwardly from the second corner 7 at the merge of the left end 4 and the front. The chamber has a nearly rectangular shape with its length oriented transverse to the length of the device. Along the front outwardly from the chamber and towards the right end, the top surface has a plurality of minor chambers 11, here shown as five in number. The minor chambers also have a nearly rectangular shape but with a length slightly less than half of the length of the chamber 10 and a much narrower width. Opposite the minor chambers 11 upon the front 2, the invention 1 has another set of minor chambers 11 upon the back 3 generally in registration as shown. The sets of minor chambers appear as rows outwardly from the chamber. The minor chambers receive a small size memory card and the chamber receives a large size memory card.

[0032] More particularly, the chamber 10 has a volume recessed into the top surface 8 of sufficient depth for a memory card. The chamber then has first tabs 12 generally mutually opposite and outwardly from the centerline and one first tab locating near a second corner and two second tabs 13 inwardly from the first tabs. The first tabs and the second tabs have the same length measured parallel to the left end 4 and the same depth measured parallel to the front. The first tabs and the second tabs have a thickness less than that of the top surface 8 so that a memory card may slide beneath the first tabs and the second tabs and rest within the top surface. The first tabs and the second tabs have a spacing from the chamber, that is, the bottom of the chamber, so a memory card may insert. Outwardly from the first tabs towards the front, the chamber has a tongue 20 of a small rectangular shape extending outwardly from the centerline. The tongue separates upon three sides from the top surface as a cantilever so that it bends slightly during use. The tongue 20 has a small lip 14 proximate the front 2 so that a memory card may rest against the lip and prevent the card from sliding out of the chamber. The lip extends upwardly and opposite the buoyant layer.

[0033] And more particularly, each minor chamber 11 also has a volume recessed into the top surface of sufficient depth for a small memory card, typically the same depth as the chamber 7. The minor chamber also has first tabs 12 generally opposite and two third tabs 15 inwardly from the first tabs and forming a corner of the minor chamber. The first tabs and the third tabs have the same length measured parallel to the left end 4 and the same depth measured parallel to the front. The first tabs and the third tabs of the minor chamber have a thickness less than that of the top surface 8 so that a small memory card may slide beneath the first tabs and the third tabs and rest within the top surface. The first tabs and the third tabs have a spacing from the minor chamber, that is, the bottom of the minor chamber, so a memory card may insert. Outwardly from the first tabs towards the front, or alternatively the back as shown, each minor chamber also has a tongue 20 of a small rectangular shape extending outwardly from the centerline. The tongue separates upon three sides from the top surface as a cantilever so that it bends slightly during use. The tongue 20 has a small lip 14 proximate the front 2, or the back 3, so that a small memory card does not slide out of the chamber. Adjacent minor chambers have their first tabs 12 and third tabs 15 generally upon a common spine or divider as shown. Beneath the lips, another layer may be seen in this figure. As before, each lip extends upwardly and opposite the buoyant layer. In the preferred embodiment, the invention has one chamber towards the left of the front, a row of five minor chambers to the right of the chamber, and a second row of five minor chambers opposite the first row, that is, towards the back, as shown. The preferred embodiment has the lips aligned for each row of minor chambers and the lips of the first row aligned with the lip of the chamber. Because of the chamber and the minor chambers, the invention may hold memory cards of two sizes.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the invention with its bottom surface 16 in the foreground. The bottom surface generally extends upon the entire invention from the left end 4 to the right end 5, and the front 2 to the back 3 and also follows the first corner 6 and the second corners 7 as shown. The bottom surface also admits hole 9 through it for a lanyard, not shown, as previously described. The bottom surface contributes to the floatation ability of this invention.

[0035] Turning the invention, FIG. 3 shows the left end 4 in the foreground and a second corner 7 to the left and a first corner 6 to the right. The chamber 10 opens in the top surface 8 to the right as well. The top surface 8 is the uppermost surface of a rigid layer 17, typically planar and flat, typically polymer though other materials may see use, that has the chamber 10 and minor chambers 11 formed therein. The rigid layer has its thickness measured normal to the top surface. The chamber shown here has a slight recess inwardly from the first corner 6. This occurs because a first tab 12 has its inwardly location from the first corner which causes an apparent step in the width of the rigid layer.

[0036] Beneath the rigid layer, the invention has a buoyant layer 18 with the bottom surface outwardly from the invention and opposite the top surface 8. The buoyant layer joins to the rigid layer from the left end to the right end and from the front to the back as previously shown in FIG. 2, except for the hole 9. The buoyant layer has a waterproof joining to the rigid layer such as by resins, adhesives, cohesives, thermal welding and select mechanical fastening such as punching or riveting. The buoyant layer generally also is waterproof itself and does not admit water into its construction. The buoyant layer joins the rigid layer beneath the chamber and the minor chambers. The buoyant layer creates additional displacement, that is, volume of the device but at little increase in weight. The buoyant layer operates to float the invention on freshwater and on saltwater when loaded fully with memory cards. The buoyant layer displaces a volume of water that exceeds the weight of itself, the rigid layer, and the memory cards stored onboard. In the preferred embodiment, the buoyant layer lifts the rigid layer completely above the surface of water upon immersion of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the buoyant layer prevents the top surface from immersing into the surface of water upon deploying the invention.

[0037] More particularly, for the Floating Case, its center of gravity should be above its center of buoyancy, shown by a distance y.sub.bg. Center of buoyancy is the center of gravity for the water volume displaced by an object, here the case, as at V. Center of gravity is from the weight of the case 1 itself plus any cargo, such as SD cards, as at I. When the case tips to either side on water, its center of gravity above the center of buoyancy causes the case of the invention to right itself. This self righting happens when the buoyant force of the tipped case intersects the tipped case's centerline at a point called the metacenter, generally above the case a distance as at h.sub.m. The Floating Case of the present invention keeps a portion of its front 2, back 3, left end 4, and right end 5 and as much of its top surface 8 above water as possible as suggested by the following equation:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}{h}_m=\frac{I}{V}{y}_{\mathrm{bg}}& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.1\end{array}$

[0038] At a minimum the invention has neutral buoyancy when loaded in the chamber and each minor chamber. Preferably, the invention has positive buoyancy when loaded in the chamber and each minor chamber with memory cards. That is, the invention has a density less than that of freshwater. Preferably, the invention self rights. During use when loaded with memory cards, the invention has a draft less than fifty per centum of its thickness 22 later shown in FIG. 7.

[0039] Turning to the other end, FIG. 4 shows the right end 5 in the foreground. This end 5 appears generally symmetric with two spaced apart second corners 7 and the buoyant layer 18 spanning between them. The rigid layer joins to the buoyant later but has two minor chambers 11 formed near the second corners. The minor chambers shown opening here appear to have a slight recess inwardly from the second corners 7 because their first tabs 12 have their inward location from the second corner which causes an apparent step in the width of the rigid layer at the front 2 and the back 3 as shown. The buoyant layer has its same dimensions and buoyancy characteristics as described above.

[0040] Rotating the invention once more, FIG. 5 presents the front 2 in the foreground with the chamber 10 to the left and five minor chambers 11 spaced towards the right. The chamber and each minor chamber have their lips 14 forward and terminating at the front. The front spans from the left end 4 to the right end 5 as shown with the chamber towards the left end and the last minor chamber towards the right end. The chamber has its depth here shown as slightly greater than the depth of the adjacent minor chambers. The minor chambers each have a pair of first tabs orienting inwardly for each minor chamber. Then the chamber has its pair of first tabs 12 orienting inwardly for it and the first tabs of the chamber and the minor chambers appear coplanar. Also, each tongue and appurtenant lip may deflect in its chamber and minor chamber so that it bends downward, towards the buoyant layer, upon insertion of a memory card over the lip of each tongue and then rebounds upwardly, away from the buoyant layer as the lip grips the bottom edge of a memory card for securement.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows the back 3 of the invention in the foreground. The back has five minor chambers 11 shown at the left of the figure and extending inwardly but not reaching the first corner 6 at the left end 4, here to the right of the figure. Each minor chamber 11 has its lip 14 at the back. Each tongue bends downwardly to receive a memory card and then returns upwardly so its lip engages the bottom edge of a memory card securely against sliding out from the invention.

[0042] And, FIG. 7 has a sectional view through the invention generally parallel to the right end 5 and the left end 4. This view extends from the lips 14 of the front to the lips 14 of the back. Each tongue 20 has a lip 14a generally outwardly from the remainder of the invention. The lip has the largest thickness upon the tongue 20. From the lip inwardly, the tongue has a lesser thickness than the lip but at least three times as long as the lip. The tongue behind each lip extends inwardly in the plane of the minor chamber 11. The lip is upon the bottom of the minor chamber and spaced below the first tabs 12 previously shown. The spacing between the tongue and the bottom of the minor chamber admits an SD card therein while the lip has sufficient thickness to grip an edge of an SD card. The minor chambers extend into a spine 21 of the invention that defines the thickness of the rigid layer 17 that exceeds the height of the minor chamber. The spine extends from the right side 5 to an inside of the chamber 10 as previously shown in FIG. 1. Beneath the spine 21 and the minor chambers 11 in this figure, the invention has its buoyancy layer, or float 18, as before. The float extends beneath the entire spine 21, the tongues 20, the lips 14, the minor chambers 11, and approximates the typical credit card shape. The buoyant layer has a thickness as at 22 generally less than the thickness of the spine 21.

[0043] From the aforementioned description, a floating case has been described. The floating case is uniquely capable of floating a collection of memory cards so that a user may see the invention and retrieve it from an aqueous related location, such as a river, lake, ocean, beach, and the like. The floating case may see application upon devices manufactured from many materials, beyond those preferred, including but not limited to, polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, urethane, nylon, rubber, latex, steel, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites.

[0044] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.