Device cover, particularly suited for electronic devices

Abstract

Device includes a cover and a face provided on the cover. Cover may include a window sufficiently clear so that a portion of an object on which the cover is disposed can be viewed through the window. The window may serve to magnify or reduce the image of the viewed object. The window may be a clear, colored window to vary the apparent color of the viewed object. Likewise, the window may be a clear colorless window. The window may include an outer and inner layer of material enclosing a fluid, such as a gas or liquid, to protect the viewed object, such as the viewed keypad of a cellular telephone. The fluid may include one or more liquids, one or more of which may be of different colors so that when the window is pressed, different patterns are viewed in the liquid. The pressing of the liquid may likewise cause objects, such as logos or toys suspended in the liquid to move about in the liquid to enhance the effect. The thickness of the layers and the volume of the fluid may be select so as the protect the viewed object, such as the keys of a telephone, as well as to prevent inadvertent actuation of an ON/OFF button on the covered object. The cover may be in any desired configuration, including anthropomorphic and animal-like shapes.

1 . A device, comprising: 
 a) a cover;    b) said cover including a face provided on said cover, said face including a window; and    c) said window being sufficiently clear so that a portion of an object on which said cover is disposed can be viewed through said window.    
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said window is substantially entirely clear.    
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 a) said window is colorless.    
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 a) said window is colored.    
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 a) said window is blue.    
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said window includes a first layer and a second layer.    
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 a) a third layer is provided between said first and second layers.    
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 a) said third layer includes a fluid.    
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) said fluid includes a gas.    
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) said fluid includes a liquid.    
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) said fluid includes an oil.    
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 a) said fluid includes water.    
     
     
         13 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) said fluid includes first and second immiscible liquids.    
     
     
         14 . A device as in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 a) the first immiscible liquids is clear.    
     
     
         15 . A device as in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 a) the clear liquid is colorless.    
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 a) the clear liquid is colored.    
     
     
         17 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 a) the colored liquid is blue.    
     
     
         18 . A device as in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 a) the second liquid is yellow.    
     
     
         19 . A device as in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 a) said cover is sized for covering a portable electronic device; and    b) said window is sized and located for covering a keypad of a portable electronic device covered by said cover.    
     
     
         20 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein: 
 a) said cover is sized for substantially completely covering a portable electronic device in use; and    b) said window is sized for substantially completely covering the keypad of a portable electronic device in use.    
     
     
         21 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein: 
 a) said cover in sized for covering at least one of a telephone, a pager, a personal digital assistant, a wireless communication appliance, a wireless on-line database system appliance, and a wireless network appliance.    
     
     
         22 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) an element of an anthropomorphic figure is provided on said cover.    
     
     
         23 . A device as in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a) said element includes an animal head.    
     
     
         24 . A device as in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a) said element includes at least an animal torso.    
     
     
         25 . A device as in  claim 24 , wherein: 
 a) said cover is configured for covering a portable electronic device.    
     
     
         26 . A device as in  claim 25 , wherein: 
 a) said window is located for covering a portion a keypad.    
     
     
         27 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said window includes a flexible plastic.    
     
     
         28 . A device as in  claim 26 , wherein: 
 a) said layer includes a first layer and a second layer.    
     
     
         29 . A device as in  claim 28 , wherein: 
 a) a third layer is provided between said first and second layers.    
     
     
         30 . A device as in  claim 29 , wherein: 
 a) said third layer includes a fluid.    
     
     
         31 . A device as in  claim 30 , wherein: 
 a) said fluid includes a liquid.    
     
     
         32 . A device as in  claim 31 , wherein: 
 a) said liquid includes two liquids of different colors.    
     
     
         33 . A device as in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a) an opening is provided in said cover and located for enhancing the transmission of sound therethrough.    
     
     
         34 . A device as in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a) a slot is provided in said cover and sized for receiving an electronic device therethrough; and    b) a closure is provided adjacent said slot for closing said slot sufficiently for preventing removal of an electronic device disposed inside said cover.    
     
     
         35 . A device as in  claim 34 , wherein: 
 a) a fastener is provided for restricting operation of said closure.    
     
     
         36 . A device as in  claim 35 , wherein: 
 a) said closure includes a zipper, and said fastener includes a hook-and-loop fastener.    
     
     
         37 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) a movable element is provided in said fluid.    
     
     
         38 . A device as in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 a) said movable element includes a decorative element.    
     
     
         39 . A device as in  claim 38 , wherein: 
 a) said movable element includes a toy.    
     
     
         40 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) said liquid, first layer, and said second layer are sufficiently thick so as to restrict inadvertent actuation of a key on a keypad of an electronic device disposed in said cover, in use.    
     
     
         41 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said window includes a hard plastic.    
     
     
         42 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) a neck strap is provided.    
     
     
         43 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said window is configured for magnifying the image of a device disposed within the cover, in use.    
     
     
         44 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) said liquid is selected for magnifying the image of a device disposed within the cover, in use.    
     
     
         45 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 a) said liquid, said first layer, and said second layer are selected for varying the size of the image of a device disposed within the cover, in use.