PROTECTIVE CASE FOR SIX DIFFERENT
SIZED MEMORY CARDS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION 5
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/476,518 that was filed on Jun. 7, 2003, entitled "Protective Case for Six Different Sized Memory Cards". 10
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to protective cases for portable memory cards. 15
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known that memory devices for storage of data for modern electronic components, such as computers, cam- 20 eras, entertainment systems, etc., are becoming increasingly smaller. For example, solid memory technology currently and commonly referred to in the art as "memory cards", such as the well known "SONY" brand name "memory sticks" may be readily secured in containers as small as three inches 25 in length and width and one-half inches in depth. Such small memory devices provide substantial conveniences in storing, backing-up and transferring data such as computer programs, visual images, audio data, etc. Because such memory devices are so small, however, they also give rise to 30 significant risks related to transport of the devices. For example, dropping of the devices could damage them, exposure to moisture could likewise injure them, or contact of data transfer ports of the devices with foreign objects could also harm them. 35
It is known that some modern protective carriers exist for solid memory devices, such as a memory card protective carrier disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,885 that issued on May 15, 2001 to the owners of all rights in the invention described herein, which patent is hereby incorporated herein 40 by reference. The memory card protective carrier disclosed therein provides for a protective band to overlie data transfer ports of the memory card whenever the card is secured within the carrier. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,452 that issued on May 25, 2004, and that is also co-owned and 45 incorporated herein by reference, shows a rigid exterior shell housing soft resilient inserts within the shell to completely enclose a memory device and thereby protect it against damage from impact or fluid contamination. However, it is increasingly common that portable memory cards have 50 varying external dimensions of width, length and thickness. Consequently, a user may utilize a protective container for one sized memory card, such as the "SONY" brand name "memory stick", and the container is unlikely to be able to house and protect a memory card having exterior dimen- 55 sions that vary from those of the "memory stick".
Accordingly, there is a need for a protective case that adequately protects memory cards having varying exterior dimensions.
The invention is a protective case for six different sized memory cards, wherein each of the six cards has exterior dimensions of length, width and thickness that are distinct 65 from the other five memory cards. The case includes a base hinged to a top, wherein the base includes a first small sized
memory card securing means for securing a first small sized memory card within the base against unassisted removal from the case, a first large sized memory card securing means for securing a first large sized memory card within the base against unassisted removal from the case, a second large sized memory card securing means for securing a second large sized memory card within the base against unassisted removal from the case, and a third large sized memory card securing means for securing a third large sized memory card within the base against unassisted removal from the case. The top hinged to the base includes a second small sized memory card securing means for securing both a second small sized memory card and also a third small sized memory card within the top against unassisted removal from the case. A latch is secured to the case for securing the base to the top for selectively opening and closing the case by securing the top to the base to protect one or more memory cards secured within the case. The five securing means are disposed so that whenever the base and top of the case are latched into a closed position, rectangular alignments defined by the five securing means overlie each other.
The securing means include pyramid posts, inverse "L" shaped posts, crush ribs, support shelves, edge posts, alignment ribs and other structures secured to the base or top as described in detail below to secure the memory cards within the case. In a preferred embodiment, the case may simultaneously secure against unassisted removal the first small sized memory card within the base, the second or third small sized memory card within the top, and the first, second or third large sized memory card within the base.
Accordingly, it is a general purpose of the present invention to provide a protective case for six different sized memory cards that overcomes deficiencies of the prior art.
It is a more specific purpose to provide a protective case for six different sized memory cards that is small, easy to store, and that may secure up to three memory cards at the same time.
These and other purposes and advantages of the present protective case for six different sized memory cards will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective case for six different sized memory cards constructed in accordance with the present invention showing a base hinged to a top in an open position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the protective case shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an expanded, fragmentary view of a crush rib of the FIG. 2 base.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top of the protective case shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of the protective case shown in FIG. 2 with a first small sized memory card secured within the base.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the protective case shown in FIG. 2 with a first large sized memory card secured within the base.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the base of the protective case shown in FIG. 2 with a second large sized memory card secured within the base.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base of the protective case shown in FIG. 2 with a third large sized memory card secured within the base.
