Protective assembly for portable digital device

Abstract

A protective case for a portable digital media device includes a hinged element and an aperture registered with an input element for such device, to provide protection against inadvertent damage to the device, to selectively operate as a stand to maintain the device in an upright position, and enable user access to the input element when the case is closed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This utility patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 252,488 filed on Jan. 24, 2006, and issuing as U.S. Design Pat. No. D569,607 on May 27, 2008. The entire disclosure of the foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference herein, for all purposes, and the priority of such application is hereby claimed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 120.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to accessories for portable digital devices, including portable digital media storage and playback devices used for on-line downloading, storing and playing digital media files such as, for example, MP3 (i.e., MPEG-1 audio layer 3) audio, WMA (Windows Media Audio) audio, MPEG-4 multimedia, QuickTime multimedia files, and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a protective assembly that protects the exterior of a portable digital device without impairing access to primary...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention relates in various aspects to a protective case for a portable digital media device, with the protective case providing protection against inadvertent damage to a portable digital media device, being selectively operable as a stand to maintain a portable digital media device in an upright position, and enabling user access to at least one input element of the portable digital media device when the case is closed.

Problems solved by technology

As more and more features are integrated into modern portable digital media devices, the cost of such devices has increased substantially.

Given the high cost and relative fragility of such devices, users often desire to continuously keep such devices in protective cases to provide protection against damage.

Dedicated protective cases and stands / mounts to independently provide the foregoing utilities are commonplace; however, certain types of cases are incompatible in character with certain types of stands / mounts, and it is cumbersome for users to frequently swap portable digital media devices in and out of protective cases.

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