Accessory Case for Handheld Electronic Device

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a cover structured and dimensioned to house an electronic handheld device. A clip is attached in relation to the cover. The clip comprises first and second portions with a hinged connection therebetween. The second portion is movable in relation to the first portion at the hinge connection. The clip further comprises a stop that limits the travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the second portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as a stand upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an upright position on a supporting surface.

1 . An apparatus for use with an electronic handheld device, comprising:
 a cover structured and dimensioned to house the device, and   a clip attached in relation to the cover, the clip comprising first and second portions with a hinged connection therebetween, the second portion being movable in relation to the first portion at the hinge connection, the clip further comprising a stop that limits the travel of the second portion, whereby upon moving of the second portion to engage the stop, the second portion functions as a stand upon which the cover leans for supporting the cover in an upright position on a supporting surface.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clip further comprises a releasable lock formed between the first and second portions of the clip for holding the first and second portions in a closed relation to one another to form a belt clip, the lock being structured and configured to be releasable to allow the second portion to move in an open relation to the first portion at the hinge connection to form the stand. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second portions of the clip has an opening and the other one of the first and second portions has a hook that engages the opening to hold the first and second portions in a closed relation to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the lock is further structured and configured to require a predetermined amount of force to release the hook from the opening. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover and the clip are structured to cooperate with one another so that the clip is releasably attached in relation to the cover. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one of the cover and clip has at least one opening and the other one of the cover and clip has at least one protrusion that cooperates with the opening to hold the clip in relation to the cover. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein one of the cover and the clip has positive structure and the other one of the cover and the clip has negative structure that cooperates with the positive structure to form a snap fit when the protrusion cooperates with the opening to hold the clip in relation to the cover. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the clip is structured to swivel in relation to the cover so that the stand may be selectively oriented longitudinally and laterally in relation to the cover, thus permitting the cover to be selectively supported upright in a first position and a second position transverse to the first position in relation to the supporting surface. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprises discretely interlocking surfaces that allow the clip to swivel to a desired position, including the first and second positions, and then maintain the desired position. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the discretely interlocking surfaces are configured to require a predetermined amount of force to swivel the clip. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the discretely interlocking surfaces comprise annular surfaces having mating serrations or undulations that cam in relation to one another so as to form a clicking-type swivel connection therebetween. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprises a leash that is releasably attached to one of the cover and the clip. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein one of the cover and the clip has an opening and the leash has string that forms a loop that may be passed at least partially through the opening so that the leash may be feed through the loop and pulled to tighten the string about a portion of the cover or clip defining at least a portion of the opening. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein one of the cover and the clip has an opening and the leash has a hook with a closure, which may be biased in a closed direction upon engaging the hook with the opening. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the leash includes a wrist strap for attachment to a person's wrist. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the leash includes a neck lanyard for attachment around a person's neck. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the leash is formed at least in part from a material that glows in the dark. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is a hard shell cover. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a built-in, touch-through screen, which protects a touch screen of the device while facilitating use of the touch screen.