Portable electronic apparatus case with through the case pushbutton actuation

Abstract

A case having exterior walls and, optionally, a closeable flap defining an interior chamber sized to releasibly receive a portable electronic apparatus. Indicating members are carried on an exterior wall of the case for indicating the position of a pushbutton on the electronic device disposed within the interior of the case and permitting actuation of the pushbutton through the exterior wall of the case. The indicating member may be indicia formed on the case simulating the shape of the underlying pushbutton and/or a symbol defining the function of the pushbutton and/or depressions or projections on the exterior wall at the location of each pushbutton on the electronic device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A case for receiving an electronic device having at least one manipulatable external pushbutton, the case comprising: 
 exterior walls defining an interior cavity for receiving an electronic device; and    pushbutton indicating means, carried on one of the exterior walls and substantially alignable with a pushbutton on the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed within the interior of the case, for indicating the position of and for allowing manipulation of the pushbutton through the exterior wall of the case.    
     
     
         2 . The case of    claim 1    wherein: 
 the interior cavity is sized to receive a remote keyless vehicle transmitter.  
 
     
     
         3 . The case of    claim 1    wherein: 
 one of the exterior walls include a flap having a free end closeable over an open end of the interior cavity of the case to retain an electronic device in the interior cavity of the case.  
 
     
     
         4 . The case of    claim 3    wherein: 
 the flap is formed as an integral, unitary extension of one exterior wall of the case.  
 
     
     
         5 . The case of    claim 3    further comprising: 
 a fastener for securing one end of the flat to an exterior wall of the case to retain the flap over the open end of the interior of the case.  
 
     
     
         6 . The case of    claim 3    further comprising: 
 an aperture formed in the flap permitting attachment of the electronic device disposed within the interior of the case to an external article.  
 
     
     
         7 . The case of    claim 1    wherein the indicating means comprises: 
 indicia formed on an exterior wall of the case.  
 
     
     
         8 . The case of    claim 7    wherein: 
 the indicia is in the shape of a pushbutton.  
 
     
     
         9 . The case of    claim 7    wherein: 
 the indicia is a symbol defining the function of the associated pushbutton.  
 
     
     
         10 . The case of    claim 1    wherein the indicating means comprises: 
 a formed member on one wall of the case simulating the shape of the pushbutton.  
 
     
     
         11 . The case of    claim 1    wherein the indicating means comprises: 
 a formed member on the exterior wall of the case; and  
 a symbol applied to the exterior wall in proximity with the formed member defining the function of the pushbutton.  
 
     
     
         12 . The case of    claim 1    wherein the indicating means comprises: 
 enlargements formed in the exterior wall of the case projecting outward from the exterior wall.  
 
     
     
         13 . The case of    claim 1    wherein the indicating means comprises: 
 enlargements extending inward from the plane of the exterior wall of the case.  
 
     
     
         14 . The case of    claim 1    wherein the indicating means comprises: 
 a raised projection formed on the exterior wall of the case surrounded by a depressed outer periphery disposed below the plane of the exterior wall of the case.  
 
     
     
         15 . The case of    claim 1    wherein: 
 an open end is formed in one exterior wall of the case; and  
 the electronic device is a telephone pager having a display visible through the open end wall of the case.  
 
     
     
         16 . The case of    claim 1    wherein: 
 the case is formed of leather.  
 
     
     
         17 . The case of    claim 1    wherein: 
 the case is formed of a treated animal skin.