Convertible Lanyard Case for Personal Electronics

Abstract

A convertible lanyard case tor a personal electronics item includes a top end, a bottom end, a front side, and a back side. The front side is configured for viewing and accessing the personal electronics item. The back side includes a tab assembly adjacent the bottom end, having a movable tab with a hole for engaging a lanyard and clip. The tab slides between a first, position wherein the hole is obscured and a second position wherein the tab extends from the case for attaching a lanyard to the hole. To preserve the tab in position stops with a biasing mechanisms seat in notches on the frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convertible lanyard case for a personal electronics item, the convertible lanyard case comprising:
 a top end, a bottom end, a front side and a back side, together configured to conform to the personal electronics item;   the front side configured for viewing and accessing a screen of the personal electronics item;   the back side having a tab assembly adjacent the bottom end;   wherein the tab assembly comprises a tab having a hole, the tab movable between a first position wherein the hole is obscured by the back side and a second position wherein the tab extends from the convertible lanyard case, thereby unblocking the hole.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 1  wherein the tab travels in a frame, confining it to linear movement coaxial with a linear axis formed by the top end and the bottom end. 
     
     
         3 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 1  wherein the tab includes a stop having a biasing mechanism that seats the stop in a notch on the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 3  wherein the tab includes a finger grip. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 1  wherein the tab includes a rail and the frame includes a guide, wherein the guide and the rail hold the tab against the back side. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 5  including two parallel and linear rails that engage two parallel and linear guides. 
     
     
         7 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 1  wherein the front side forms a frame. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 1  wherein the front side comprises a peripheral edge of the case, the peripheral edge configured to retain the personal electronics item; 
     
     
         9 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 3  wherein the back side and the front side share a common peripheral edge. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 1  wherein the back side includes a camera window. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 5  wherein the camera window is proximal to the top end; 
     
     
         12 . A convertible lanyard case tor a personal electronics item, the case comprising:
 a top end, a bottom end, a front side and a back side, together configured to conform to the personal electronics item;   the front side configured for viewing and accessing a screen of the personal electronics item;   the back side having a tab assembly, slidably attached to and adjacent the bottom end;   the tab having a first position and a second position in linear series coaxial to a linear axis formed by the top end and the bottom end; and   wherein the tab assembly comprises a tab having a hole, the tab movable between the first position wherein the hole is obscured by the back side and the second position wherein the tab extends from the case, thereby unblocking the hole.   
     
     
         13 . The convertible lanyard case of  claim 12  wherein the tab includes a stop and the frame includes a notch into which the stop is biased to seat. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using a personal electronic device using a convertible lanyard case, comprising the steps of:
 providing a personal electronic device   providing a case for the personal electronic device;   providing a sliding lab mechanism on a back side and a bottom end of the case;   inserting the personal electronic device into the case, thereby holding it securely therein;   sliding a tab of the tab mechanism toward the bottom end, such that a hole is revealed on the tab;   attaching a lanyard to the case by clipping the lanyard to the hole; and   wearing the lanyard.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of lifting the personal electronic device, to a user's ear, thereby inverting the personal electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of releasing the personal electronic device, thereby allowing it to dangle from the lanyard; 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of removing the lanyard, and sliding the tab toward the top end, thereby obscuring the hole.