Extending socket for portable media player

Abstract

Extending sockets, formed of accordions generally with buttons attached at their distal ends, for attaching to portable media players or portable media player cases. Cases having attached sockets serve purposes beyond protection of the player, such as managing a headset, attaching to belts or the like, forming stand legs to prop the player at a desired angle, forming grips for gaming, forming a grip for securely holding and manipulating player with one hand, and forming extended legs for wedging players that are phones between the ear and shoulder. The sockets are structured to allow headset cords to be wound around the accordions when the sockets are extended, to prevent the cords from tangling. Space in an attached case may be provided so that the sockets may be partially or fully retracted with headphone cords wrapped around them to save space.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable media player case for housing a portable media player, comprising:
 a case body for housing the portable media player; and 
 an extendable socket attached to a back of the case body, the socket including:
 an accordion forming a tapered shape capable of extending outward from the case body generally along its axis and retracting back toward the case body by collapsing generally along its axis, wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges, and 
 a foot disposed at the a distal end of the accordion; 
 
 wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed, and 
 wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long. 
 
     
     
       2. The case of  claim 1  wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges. 
     
     
       3. The case of  claim 2  wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed. 
     
     
       4. The case of  claim 3  wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long. 
     
     
       5. The case of claim  3  1wherein the case body forms a cavity for housing the socket when the accordion is retracted. 
     
     
       6. The case of  claim 1  further comprising a button attached to the foot, the button formed of a rigid material and extending radially past the foot. 
     
     
       7. The case of  claim 1  further comprising a suction cup attached to the foot. 
     
     
       8. The case of  claim 1  wherein the foot comprises a suction cup. 
     
     
       9. A socket for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
 a securing element for attaching the socket to the back of the portable media player or portable media player case; and   an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and   a foot disposed at the distal end of the accordion.   
     
     
       10. The socket of  claim 9  wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges. 
     
     
       11. The socket of  claim 10  wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed. 
     
     
       12. The A socket of  claim 11  for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
 a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media case; and 
 an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and 
 a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;  
 wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges and is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long; and 
 wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed. 
 
     
     
       13. The socket of  claim 12  further comprising a button attached to the foot, the button formed of a rigid material and extending radially past the foot. 
     
     
       14. The A socket of  claim 9  for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
 a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media case; and 
 an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and 
 a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;  
 wherein the securing element comprises a suction cup; and 
 wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 22 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 22 mm long. 
 
     
     
       15. The A socket of  claim 9  for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
 a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media case; and 
 an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis; and 
 a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion; 
 wherein the securing element comprises suction-cup tape; and wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long. 
 
     
     
       16. A method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a portable media player;   selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis; and   selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other.   
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein the retracting step folds the walls into an orientation such that the walls are generally parallel to the axis of the accordion. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of attaching the socket comprises the step of enclosing the player in a case already having the socket attached to the case. 
     
     
       19. The A method of  claim 16  comprising the steps of:
 attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a back of a portable media player; 
 selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis; and 
 selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other; 
 wherein the step of attaching the socket attaches two sockets to the player. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and the step of retracting the socket retracts both of the sockets and further including the step of winding a cord around the accordions after extending the sockets and before retracting the sockets. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and further includes the step of bending the sockets in a curve away from the original axes of the accordions. 
     
     
       22. An extending socket for attaching to a portable media player, the socket forming a tapered shape and further comprising:
 means for attaching the socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape to the a back of the portable media player; 
 means for extending the socket outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting the socket back toward the portable media player by collapsing the socket generally along its axis; and 
 a foot disposed at the a distal end of the extending and retracting means. 
 
     
     
       23. A portable media player case for housing a portable media player, comprising:
 a case body for housing the portable media player; and   an extendable socket attached to a back of the case body, the socket including:   an accordion forming a tapered shape capable of extending outward from the case body generally along its axis and retracting back toward the case body by collapsing generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding in a generally parallel configuration next to one another, rather than stacking on top of one another, when fully collapsed, wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges,   a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;   wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape with circular base, constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed; and   wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.   
     
     
       24. The case of claim 23 wherein the case body forms a cavity for housing the socket when the accordion is retracted. 
     
     
       25. The case of claim 23 further comprising a button attached to the foot, the button formed of a rigid material and extending radially past the foot. 
     
     
       26. The case of claim 23 further comprising a suction cup attached to the foot. 
     
     
       27. The case of claim 23 wherein the foot comprises a suction cup. 
     
     
       28. A socket for attaching to a portable media player or to a portable media player case, comprising:
 a securing element for attaching the socket to a back of the portable media player or portable media player case; and   an accordion forming a tapered shape connected to the securing element, the accordion capable of extending outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting back toward the portable media player by collapsing generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding in a generally parallel configuration next to one another, rather than stacking on top of one another, when fully collapsed;   a foot disposed at a distal end of the accordion;   wherein the accordion comprises rigid walls interspersed with flexural hinges;   wherein the tapered shape comprises a cone shape with circular base, constructed and arranged such that the walls fold generally parallel to the axis of the accordion when the accordion is collapsed; and   wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.   
     
     
       29. The socket of claim 28 further comprising a button attached to the foot, the button formed of a rigid material and extending radially past the foot. 
     
     
       30. The socket of claim 28 wherein the securing element comprises a suction cup. 
     
     
       31. The socket of claim 28 wherein the securing element comprises suction-cup tape. 
     
     
       32. A method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a back of a portable media player;   selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding next to one another when fully collapsed;   selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other;   wherein the retracting step folds the walls into an orientation such that the walls are generally parallel to the axis of the accordion; and   wherein the accordion is formed of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the walls are about 1 to 2 mm thick and 2 to 4 mm long, and the flexural hinges are about 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick and 1 to 2 mm long.   
     
     
       33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of attaching the socket comprises the step of enclosing the player in a case already having the socket attached to the case. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of attaching the socket attaches two sockets to the player. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and the step of retracting the socket retracts both of the sockets and further including the step of winding a cord around the accordions after extending the sockets and before retracting the sockets. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and further includes the step of bending the sockets in a curve away from the original axes of the accordions. 
     
     
       37. An extending socket for attaching to a portable media player, the socket forming a tapered shape and further comprising:
 means for attaching the socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape to a back of the portable media player;   means for extending the socket outward generally along its axis from the portable media player and retracting the socket back toward the portable media player by collapsing the socket generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding next to one another when fully collapsed; and   a foot disposed at a distal end of the extending and retracting means.   
     
     
       38. A method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a socket including an accordion forming a tapered shape and having walls interspaced with flexural hinges to a back of a portable media player;   selectively extending the socket by unfolding the accordion generally along its axis, the accordion maintaining pleated folds when fully extended and having walls folding next to one another when fully collapsed;   selectively retracting the socket by folding the accordion generally along its axis such that the walls fold next to each other;   wherein the step of attaching the socket attaches two sockets to the player.   
     
     
       39. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and the step of retracting the socket retracts both of the sockets and further including the step of winding a cord around the accordions after extending the sockets and before retracting the sockets. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 38 wherein the step of extending the socket extends both of the sockets and further includes the step of bending the sockets in a curve away from the original axes of the accordions.