U.S. patent application number 09/861923 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for camming belt clip.
Invention is credited to Jones, Dave, Mayne, Doug.
Application Number | 20020170148 09/861923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25337113 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020170148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayne, Doug ; et
al. |
November 21, 2002 |
CAMMING BELT CLIP
Abstract
A belt clip for attaching a device to a user includes a back
plate having first and second wing portions which include flanges
for engaging with the exterior surface of an electronic device. The
first and second wing portions are coupled together by an
integrated biasing portion that allows the first and second wing
portions to be forced together when the flanges are gripping the
electronic device and apart when it is desired to remove the
electronic device from the belt clip. The wing portions each
include integrally formed cam members that engage with a cam hole
formed in a clip member. As the clip member is rotated relative to
the back plate, the cam members and thus the wing portions are
brought together to grasp the electronic device. The clip member is
then retained relative to the back plate with a locking
feature.
Inventors: |
Mayne, Doug; (Ogden, UT)
; Jones, Dave; (Layton, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Iomega Corporation
Patent Administrator- Legal Dept.
1821 West Iomega Way
Roy
UT
84067
US
|
Family ID: |
25337113 |
Appl. No.: |
09/861923 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
5/021 20130101; Y10T 24/1391 20150115; Y10T 24/13 20150115; G08B
3/1058 20130101; Y10T 24/1394 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/3.12 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/02; A44B
021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A belt clip for attaching a device to a user, comprising: a
right gripping portion and a left gripping portion, said right and
left gripping portions configured to engage with an external
surface of a device; a biasing member coupled between said right
gripping member and said left gripping member for biasing said
right gripping member away from said left gripping member; a right
cam member secured relative to said right gripping member and a
left cam member secured relative to said left gripping member; and
a clip member defining a cam hole for engaging said right and left
cam members such that rotation of said clip member causes said
right and left cam members and thus said right and left gripping
members to move relative to one another.
2. The belt clip of claim 1, further including a back member
comprising right and left wing portions.
3. The belt clip of claim 2, wherein said right gripping portion is
integrally formed with said right wing portion and said left
gripping portion is integrally formed with said left wing
portion.
4. The belt clip of claim 3, wherein said right and left gripping
portions comprise elongate flanges spaced from a back side of said
back member, said elongate flanges inwardly extending from
proximate outer edges of said right and left wing portions.
5. The belt clip of claim 4, wherein said elongate flanges
substantially match a contour of an electronic device to which the
elongate flanges are to be attached and are configured to fit
within exterior features formed in the electronic device.
6. The belt clip of claim 2, wherein said right and left wing
portions are joined together by said biasing member, said biasing
member comprising an integrally formed member interposed between
said right and left wing members.
7. The belt clip of claim 6, wherein said right and left wing
members depend from one another by said biasing member, said
biasing member forming an arched-shaped portion defining a round
aperture between said right and left wing portions.
8. The belt clip of claim 2, wherein said right wing member defines
a first transversely extending recess along a portion of an inner
edge thereof on a first side of the back member, and said left wing
member defines a second transversely extending recess along an
inner edge thereof on a second side of the back member, said first
and second transversely extending recesses configured to overlap
one another when the right wing member is forced toward said left
wing member.
9. The belt clip of claim 8, further including a laterally
extending post extending from said right wing member for engaging
with a top surface of said left wing member, said post and said
overlapping recesses preventing relative movement of said right and
left wing members in a direction substantially perpendicular to a
plane defined by said top surface.
10. The belt clip of claim 2, further including a locking member
coupled to said right wing member for engaging with said clip
member when said clip member is in a closed position.
11. The belt clip of claim 10, wherein said locking member
comprises a cantilevered member integrally formed with said right
wing member and having a raised locking portion integrally formed
therewith, said raised locking portion configured to engage with
said clip member, and said cantilevered member being flexible for
selective disengagement of said raised locking portion from said
clip member when pressed.
12. The belt clip of claim 11, wherein said clip member defines a
recess in a side facing said cantilevered member for receiving said
raised locking portion when said clip member is rotated to a closed
position relative to said back member.
13. The belt clip of claim 1, wherein each of said cam members
further include a cam stop for engaging with cam stop abutments on
said clip member to prevent over rotation of said clip member
relative to said cam members.
14. The belt clip of claim 13, wherein said cam stop members and
said cam stop abutments allow said clip member to rotate
approximately ninety degrees relative to said cam members between
an open position and a closed position.
15. The belt clip of claim 14, wherein said gripping members are
closer together when said clip member is in a closed position and
further apart when said clip member is in an open position.
16. The belt clip of claim 15, wherein said biasing member forces
said cam members against said cam hole.
17. The belt clip of claim 13, wherein said clip member defines
first and second open position cam stop abutments for abutting
against said cam stops and preventing over rotation of said clip
member in a first direction and first and second closed position
cam stop abutments for abutting against said cam stops and
preventing over rotation of said clip member in second
direction.
18. The belt clip of claim 17, wherein said clip member comprises
an integrally formed cam portion defining said cam hole and
including said cam abutment surfaces and a belt loop portion for
receiving and holding an article of clothing of a user.
19. A belt clip for securing a device to a user, comprising: a
clamping member having integrally formed first and second wing
portions interconnected by an arch-shaped portion; a first grasping
flange integrally formed with said first wing portion on a first
side thereof and a second grasping flange integrally formed with
said second wing portion; a first cam member integrally formed with
said first wing portion and a second cam member integrally formed
with said second wing portion; a clip member for attachment to a
user defining a cam hole for receiving said first and second cam
members, said clip member being rotatable relative to said clamping
member between a first open position and a second closed position,
whereby rotation of said clip from said first open position to said
second closed position forces said first cam member toward said
second cam member thus moving said first grasping flange toward
said second grasping flange.
20. The belt clip of claim 19, wherein said grasping flanges are
spaced from a back side of said clamping member and inwardly extend
from proximate outer edges of said first and second wing
portions.
21. The belt clip of claim 20, wherein said grasping flanges
substantially match a contour of a device to which the flanges are
to be attached and are configured to fit within exterior features
formed in the device.
22. The belt clip of claim 19, wherein said arch-shaped portion
biases said first wing member relative to said second wing
portion.
23. The belt clip of claim 22, wherein said arch-shaped portion
defines a circular aperture between said first and second wing
portions.
24. The belt clip of claim 19, wherein said first wing portion
defines a first transversely extending recess along a portion of an
inner edge thereof on a first side of said clamping member, and
said second wing member defines a second transversely extending
recess along an inner edge thereof on a second side of said
clamping member, said first and second transversely extending
recesses configured to overlap one another when said first wing
member is forced toward said second wing member.
25. The belt clip of claim 24, further including a laterally
extending post extending from said first wing portion for engaging
with a top surface of said second wing portion, said post and said
overlapping recesses preventing relative movement of said first and
second wing portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to
a plane defined by said top surface.
26. The belt clip of claim 19, further including a cantilevered
locking member integrally formed with said first wing portion for
engaging with a corresponding recess in said clip member when said
clip member is in said second closed position, said locking member
having a raised locking portion integrally formed therewith, said
cantilevered locking member being flexible relative to said first
wing portion for selective disengagement of said raised locking
portion from said clip member when said cantilevered locking member
is sufficiently flexed.
27. The belt clip of claim 19, wherein said first and second cam
members further include cam stops and said clip includes cam stop
abutments for abutting said cam stops to prevent over rotation of
said clip member relative to said cam members.
28. The belt clip of claim 27, wherein said cam stop members and
said cam stop abutments allow said clip member to rotate
approximately ninety degrees relative to said cam members between
an open position and a closed position.
29. The belt clip of claim 28, wherein said grasping flanges are
closer together when said clip member is in said second closed
position and further apart when said clip member is in an open
position.
30. The belt clip of claim 22, wherein said arch-shaped portion
forces said cam members against said cam hole.
31. The belt clip of claim 28, wherein said clip member defines
first and second open position cam stop abutments for abutting
against said cam stops and preventing over rotation of said clip
member in a first direction and first and second closed position
cam stop abutments for abutting against said cam stops and
preventing over rotation of said clip member in a second
direction.
32. The belt clip of claim 19, wherein said clip member comprises
an integrally formed cam portion defining said cam hole and
including said cam abutment surfaces and a belt loop portion for
securing said clip member to a user.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching
an electronic device to the belt or other article of clothing of a
user. More particularly, the present invention relates to a belt
clip which is releasably securable to an electronic device for ease
of attachment and removal therefrom.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The use of various mechanisms for attaching electronic
devices to an article of clothing of a user has been known for
decades. Some of the first widely used mechanisms for attaching
electronic devices to a user were loops of fabric integrated into a
fabric case used to support and protect small personal cassette
players manufactured by Sony, Toshiba and others. Such belt clip
devices were commonly comprised of a relatively wide loop of fabric
sewn to the case.
[0005] Because it is often desirable to access the front of the
electronic device, it is often not preferred to encase the device
in a fabric sleeve. Thus, various devices have been developed to
provide a belt clip while not interfering with the functionality of
the device.
[0006] The following references provide samples of the most common
ways that belt clips are assembled and attached to various
electronic devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,337 to Rankin, Jr. et al.
comprises a spring loaded belt clip assembly for attachment to a
cellular phone. The belt clip of Rankin, Jr. et al., however, is
comprised of several separate components that increase the cost of
the device and require assembly of the components. Furthermore, the
belt clip is held in place merely by the force of a single coil
spring and is not lockable onto the electronic device. As such, the
belt clip could be accidentally disengaged from the electronic
device allowing the electronic device to drop to the ground.
[0007] Likewise, U.S. Pat. 5,791,019 to Jeong is comprised of
multiple components including pins and springs that require a
specifically configured slots and components to be integrated into
the case of the electronic device.
[0008] The detachable belt clip assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,153
to Guzik et al. simply snaps over the exterior of an electronic
device but requires the use of a screwdriver for removal which may
damage the external surface of finish of the electronic device.
Furthermore, the belt clip portion is not configured to wrap around
the belt of a user and may therefore become easily separated from
the user.
[0009] As illustrated by the foregoing examples, prior art belt
clips are typically comprised of multiple components requiring at
least some assembly by the manufacturer. Moreover, many of the
prior art devices require significant alteration, modification, or
adaptation of the case of the electronic device to accept the prior
art belt clip assemblies. Furthermore, some of the prior art belt
clip assemblies require various components to be permanently
attached to the electronic device in order for the belt clip to
even be attachable thereto. Finally, many of the known belt clip
assemblies in the art are relatively difficult and expensive to
manufacture.
[0010] Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a belt clip
assembly that is comprised of a minimal number of components, can
be adapted to attach to most all electronic devices, is easy to
manufactured as all components can be injection molded, does not
require any preassembly of components, is easy to remove from the
electronic device without damaging the electronic device and
provides a secure attachment of the belt clip to the electronic
device and the belt clip to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The belt clip of the present is preferably configured for
attaching an electronic or other device to an article of clothing
of a user. In addition, the belt clip is easy and inexpensive to
manufacture and is comprised of a minimal number of components.
[0012] The belt clip of the present invention is also preferably
configured to be attached to an electronic or other device in a
manner that is easy for the user to attach and remove from the
device.
[0013] The belt clip of the present invention is also preferably
configured to be gentle on the device to which it is to be attached
such that it will not damage the surface when the belt clip is
attached or removed.
[0014] The belt clip of the present invention is further preferably
configured so as to not require the addition of features or parts
to the device to which the belt clip is to be attached and thus
does not increase the cost of the device to which the belt clip of
the present invention can be attached.
[0015] The belt clip of the present invention is also preferably
configured to provide a belt clip that does not hide or detract
from the industrial design of the device to which the belt clip of
the present invention is attached. Specifically, the belt clip of
the present invention is preferably configured so as to not
substantially cover the front or any substantial portion of the
front of the device to which it is attached.
[0016] The belt clip of the present invention also preferably
creates a strong attachment force between the belt clip and the
device when secured thereto.
[0017] Accordingly, a camming belt clip in accordance with the
principles of the present invention is preferably comprised of a
back plate portion and a clip portion that are rotatably engage
relative to one another in a manner that rotation of the clip
portion actuates the back plate portion in a clamping manner to
grip the exterior of another device, such as a portable electronic
device for playing music. The back plate or clamping member
preferably includes integrally formed first and second wing
portions interconnected by an arch-shaped portion or member that
biases the wing portions relative to one another. The arch-shaped
portion defines a circular aperture between the wing portions
having a diameter sufficient to minimize lateral stress in and
subsequent fracturing of the arch-shaped portion as the arch-shaped
portion is flexed.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, each of the wing portions
includes grasping or gripping flanges integrally formed therewith
for engaging with external features of an electronic device and
securely holding the electronic device relative to the back
plate.
[0019] A pair of cam members are preferably provided for actuating
the first and second wing portions relative to one another. As
such, one cam member is attached to the first wing portion and the
other cam member is attached to the other wing portion and are in
such a proximity so as to be receivable within a cam hole provided
in the clip portion.
[0020] The clip portion preferably defines a cam hole for receiving
the cam members and is rotatable relative to the said first and
second cam members, said belt clip member being rotatable relative
to the back plate between a first open position and a second closed
position, whereby rotation of the clip member from the first open
position to the second closed position forces the first cam member
toward the second cam member thus forcing the first wing portion
toward the second wing portion to allow the grasping flanges to
move into engagement with the electronic device.
[0021] The grasping flanges are preferably spaced from a back side
of the back plate and inwardly extend from proximate the outer
edges of the wing portions so as to partially wrap around an
electronic device and engage with exterior features provided in the
sides of such an electronic device. As such, it is preferable that
the grasping flanges substantially match the exterior contour of
the electronic device to which the flanges are to be attached.
[0022] In order to provide relatively uniform top and bottom
surfaces of the back plate, that is to keep the top and bottom
surfaces of the first and second wing portions in substantially the
same plane, the wing portions are each preferably provided with
overlapping recesses to allow a portion of the first wing to
overlap with a corresponding yet opposite portion of the second
wing when the first and second wing portions are brought together
in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This
overlap of the wings provides structural stability to the back
plate as well as a preferred design from an aesthetic perspective
since the top surface of the back plate will appear uniform, that
is, in the same plane.
[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
laterally extending post extends from the first wing portion for
engaging with a top surface of the second wing portion. The post
and overlapping recesses prevent relative movement of the first and
second wing portions in a direction perpendicular to a plane
defined by their top surfaces.
[0024] In yet another preferred embodiment, the belt clip of the
present invention includes a cantilevered locking member which is
integrally formed with one of the wing members. The locking member
is provided with a raised locking portion for engaging with a
corresponding recess in the clip member when the clip member is in
the closed position. The raised locking portion is preferably
integrally formed with the cantilevered locking member which is
flexible relative to the wing portion for selective disengagement
of the raised locking portion from the clip member when the
cantilevered locking member is sufficiently flexed.
[0025] In still another preferred embodiment of the belt clip in
accordance with the principles of the present invention, the cam
members include cam stops for abutting against cam stop abutments
provided in the clip portion. The cam stops prevent over rotation
of the clip portion relative to the back plate in either direction.
Thus, the cam stop members and said cam stop abutments allow the
clip portion to rotate approximately ninety degrees relative to
said cam members between the open position and the closed position.
Preferably, the clip portion is provided with first and second open
position cam stop abutments for abutting against the cam stops and
preventing over rotation of the clip portion in a first direction
and first and second closed position cam stop abutments for
abutting against the cam stops and preventing over rotation of the
clip portion in a second direction.
[0026] When the clip portion is in the closed position, the
grasping flanges are preferably closer together and move apart as
the clip portion is rotated about the cam members to the open
position. This movement of grasping flanges is accomplished by the
biasing of the arch-shaped portion which forces the cam members
against the cam hole.
[0027] The clip portion preferably comprises an integrally formed
cam portion defining the cam hole and including the cam abutment
surfaces and a belt loop portion for securing the device of the
present invention to a user.
[0028] The advantages of a belt clip in accordance with the present
invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following
description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments is better understood when
read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings
embodiments that are presently preferred and which illustrate what
is currently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the
invention, it being understood, however, that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodients disclosed. In the drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a top view of a camming belt clip in accordance
with the principles of the present invention attached to an
electronic device;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the camming belt clip
in its assembled form as shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are top, end, bottom and side views,
respectively, of a back plate portion of the camming belt clip in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0033] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are bottom, side, partial
cross-sectional top and end views, respectively, of a clip portion
of the camming belt clip in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a top view and partial top view,
respectively, of the back plate portion of the present invention in
a molded position;
[0035] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are top, side and partial
cross-sectional top views of a camming belt clip in an assembly
position in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0036] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are top, side and partial
cross-sectional top views of a camming belt clip in an open
position in accordance with the principles of the present
invention; and
[0037] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are top, side and partial
cross-sectional top views of a camming belt clip in a closed
position in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate
like elements throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 a camming belt
clip apparatus, generally indicated at 10, in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The camming belt
clip 10 is attached to an electronic device 12 to be worn on the
belt or other article of clothing (not shown) of a user. In this
preferred embodiment, the camming belt clip 10 is specifically
configured for attaching to an MP3 player manufactured by Iomega
Corporation and sold under the trademark HIPZIP. As will be
described in more detail, herein, the camming belt clip 10 is
configured to be removably attached to the electronic device 12
without requiring any modification of the structure, specifically
the external case, of the electronic device 12.
[0039] The camming belt clip 10 is comprised of two components, a
clip member 14 and a back plate 16. When the clip member 14 is
positioned as shown in FIG. 1, the clip member 14 forces the sides
18 and 20 inwardly toward the electronic device 12 to clamp the
back plate 16 to the electronic device 12. From this position, the
clip member 14 must be manually "unlocked" from engagement with the
back plate 16 in order to release the electronic device 12 from the
black plate 16. Such a camming belt clip 10 provides selective
attachment of the camming belt clip 10 to an electronic device
while securely holding the electronic device 12 relative to the
camming belt clip 10 so as to prevent the electronic device 12 from
becoming separated from the camming belt clip 10 when subjected to
sever vibration and jarring as is often the case when a user runs
or jogs with such an electronic device 12 attached to an article of
clothing.
[0040] As better seen in FIG. 2, the clip member 14 defines a cam
hole 22 that is configured to engage with cam members 24 and 26
attached to the back plate 16, hence the title "camming belt clip."
The clip member 14 is shown in the locked position, i.e., when the
back plate 16 is closed to grip an electronic device. In order to
lock the clip member 14 relative to the back plate 16, the back
plate 16 is provided with a cantilevered tab 25 that engages with a
portion of the clip member 14 when the clip member 14 is in the
locked position to hold the clip member 14 in place relative to the
back plate 16 until the tab 25 is inwardly pressed. By
simultaneously pressing the tab 25 and rotating the clip member 14
in the direction of arrow 30, the cam members 24 and 26 in
combination with the cam hole 22 allow the wings 32 and 34 to
spread apart thus releasing the electronic device. Each wing 32 and
34 is provided with a flange 36, only one of which is visible in
FIG. 2, having a contour to match the outer contour of the device
to which the back plate 16 is to be attached. The flanges 36 are
received in elongate recesses formed into the exterior surface of
the case of the electronic device.
[0041] As further illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, the back
plate 16 is formed from a single integrated piece of material,
preferably plastic, that has been injection molded into the shape
shown in the top view of FIG. 3A. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the
back plate 16 includes a right wing portion 32 and a left wing
portion 34 held together by an arch-shaped portion which holds the
right and left wing portions 32 and 34 together and provides a bias
between the right wing portion 32 and the left wing portion 34.
When the back plate 16 is in a resting state as shown in FIG. 3A,
that is, out of the mold, the right wing 32 and left wing 34 are
separated by a relatively small gap 40 between the inside edges 42
and 44 of the right and left wing portions 32 and 34, respectively.
For manufacturing purposes, such a design is preferable, since
overlapping components would may molding of the back plate 16 from
a single part more difficult.
[0042] The gap 40 extends from proximate the cam members 24 and 26
to a circular aperture 46 which defines the inner surface 46 of the
arched portion 38. The thickness of the arched portion 38, is
designed to allow the right and left wing members or portions 32
and 34 to move toward and away from one another in a plane
substantially parallel to a plane defined by the paper upon which
FIG. 3A is drawn, i.e., a plane substantially parallel to the top
surface 50 of the back plate 16, while biasing the right wing
portion 32 away from the left wing portion 34 when the right and
left wing portions 32 and 34 are brought closer together. As the
right and left wing portions 32 and 34 are brought together, a
recessed or stepped down portion 52 is provided in the top surface
50 of the right wing portion 32 to allow the edge 42 of the left
wing portion 34 to pass over the inside edge 44 of the right wing
portion 32. As the edge 42 moves over the edge 44, the stepped down
portion engages with a similarly but oppositely configured recessed
or stepped down portion 53 in the back surface 70 of the back plate
16. Thus, when the back plate 16 is in a closed position as defined
herein, the top surface 50 of the right wing portion 32 will
substantially align with the top surface 51 fo the right wing
portion 34 to provide a smooth and even top surface. Additionally,
when the surfaces 52 and 53 engage one another their abutment
provides relative stability of the wing portions 32 and 34.
[0043] The back plate 16 is also provided with a pair of cam
members 24 and 26 which are attached to and extend upwardly from
the right wing member 32 and left wing member 34, respectively. The
cam members 24 and 26 are provided with cam caps 54 and 56,
respectively, which serve a dual purpose. First, the cam caps 54
and 56 prevent the clip member 14 from becoming disengaged from the
back plate 16 once attached thereto. Secondly, as will be more
fully described herein, the side surfaces of the cam caps 54 and 56
prevent the clip member 14 from being rotated more than about 90
degrees from an open position to a closed position. In addition,
the cam member 24 may include a laterally extending member or post
61 which extends from the cam member 24 toward the cam member 26.
When the right and left wing portions 32 and 34 are brought
together, i.e., in the closed position, the bottom side of the post
61 will rest upon the surface 63 to prevent transverse movement of
the right and left wing members 32 and 34 in one direction.
Likewise, as the edge 42 overlaps the edge 44, and the surfaces, 52
and 53 engage, transverse movement of the wing members 32 and 34 in
the opposite direction such that the wing members 32 and 34 cannot
substantially move relative to one another in a direction
perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface 51.
[0044] As further illustrated in FIG. 3B, the cam members 24 and 26
extend from the top surfaces 50 and 51 of the right and left wing
portions 32 and 34, respectively. The cam members 24 and 26,
provide cam followers 60 and 62, respectively, which provide the
camming action of the present invention. Depending from the top of
each cam follower 60 and 62 are cam caps 54 and 56 which abut
against the clip member 14 (see FIG. 2) to prevent the clip member
14 from disengaging from the cam members 24 and 26 once attached
thereto. The cam caps 54 and 56 provide an effective diameter that
is greater than the effective diameter of the cam followers 60 and
62. As such, the cam caps 54 and 56 cantilever outwardly from the
cam followers 54 and 56, respectively.
[0045] Referring also to FIG. 3C, the underside 70, that is, the
side to which the electronic device (not shown) is to be attached,
of the back plate 16 is provided with undercuts or flanges 36 and
37 proximate the outer edges 72 and 74, respectively, of the back
plate 16. The flanges 36 and 37 protrude inwardly from the outer
edges 72 and 74 and are spaced above the underside 70 essentially
forming gripping members that are capable of wrapping around a
portion of a device and engage with recessed features on an
exterior surface of the device. When engaged with a device for
which the flanges 36 and 37 are designed, the flanges 36 and 37
form a mechanical lock between the back plate 16 and the device. To
give the flanges 37 and 38 sufficient gripping power and structural
strength while maintaining their relative thinness, the flanges 37
and 38 extend approximately the length of the edges 72 and 74,
respectively, of the back plate 16. Increasing their length in this
manner, also gives the flanges a larger surface area for better
grasping of the external surface of a device.
[0046] The underside of bottom surface 70 of the back plate 16 is
also provided with a pair of posts 80 and 82 that extend upwardly
from the bottom surface 70 for engaging with external features
provided in the outer surface of a device to which the back plate
16 is attached. This is preferable to prevent the electronic device
from sliding relative to the back plate 16. As further illustrated
in FIGS. 3A-3D, the locking tab 25 is integrally formed with the
back plate 16 and is defined by a thin channel 86 which extends
completely through the back plate 16 and thus defines the locking
tab 25. The locking tab 25 is a cantilevered member that, when
depressed will flex relative to the back plate 16. Furthermore, the
back surface 87 of the locking tab 25 is recessed to allow the
locking tab 25 to deflect when the electronic device is abutted
against the bottom surface 70 of the back plate 16. As shown in
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3D, the locking tab 25 is provide with a
protruding locking portion 90 having a ramped surface 92 that
allows the clamp member 14 to slide over while inwardly deflecting
the tab portion 25 and for locking with the back side of abutment
edge 94 of the locking portion 90 until the locking tab is manually
depressed from the top surface 50.
[0047] It should be noted that the outer contours 96 and 97, for
example, of the back plate 16 are primarily configured from an
industrial design aspect and may have other shapes and
configurations depending upon the configuration of the device to
which the back plate is to be attached.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, the clip member 14
is comprised of a cam portion 100 and a belt retaining portion 102
including a belt hook 104. The cam portion 100, belt retaining
portion 102 and belt hook 104 essentially form a nearly closed-loop
defining a relatively thin aperture or interior channel 103
configured for receiving and securing therein between a belt of a
user. With such a configuration, it is unlikely that the clip
member 14 will become separated from the user when attached to a
belt or strap. The inner side 110 of the cam portion 100 is
provided with a leading ramped or tapered surface 101 for making
insertion of a belt easier. The cam portion 100 defines an
elliptical or oval cam hole 106 configured for receiving the cam
members 24 and 26 of the back plate 16. When the cam portion 100 is
attached to the back plate 16, the cam followers 60 and 62 engage
with the interior surface of the cam hole 106. Rotation of the cam
portion 100 relative to the cam followers 60 and 62 causes the cam
followers to move closer together as the cam followers 60 and 62
move from the widest portion (the open position) of the cam hole
106 to the narrowest portion (the closed position). The interior
side 110 of the cam portion 100 is provided with cam stop abutments
112, 114, 116 and 118 which abut against the side surfaces of the
cam stops 54 and 56 to prevent over rotation in either direction of
the clip member 14 relative to the cam members 24 and 26 thus only
allowing the cam followers to move between the open position and
the closed position.
[0049] The cam portion 100 is also provided with a rectangular
recess 120 or lock stop for receiving the locking portion 90 of the
locking tab 25 when the cam portion 100 has been rotated to the
closed position relative to the back plate 16. In addition, to
provide additional security a semispherical protrusion 122 may also
be provided to engage with a recess 123 in the top surface 51 of
the back plate 16 (see FIG. 3A).
[0050] The camming belt clip of the present invention provides a
device that provides sufficient gripping action and tight
engagement with the electronic device that the electronic device
cannot easily become dislodged from the camming belt clip. In the
preferred embodiment and in what is believed to be the best mode of
the present invention, the camming belt clip is comprised of two
components that can each be separately injection molded and easily
assembled. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B and 8C
illustrate in sequence the various positions of the back plate from
the molded position shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B to the closed or
locked position shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C the position in which
the camming belt clip would be attached to an electronic
device.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B (DETAIL A), the back plate
16 is shown in its "MOLDED POSITION" such that there is no overlap
of the right and left wing members 32 and 34. The cam members 24
and 26 are at their widest spacing. Depending upon the modulus of
elasticity of the material used to form the back plate and the
thickness of the biasing portion 38, the cam members 24 and 26 are
spaced to provide sufficient force against the cam hole of the clip
member 14 when engaged therewith while allowing smooth operation of
the cam arrangement.
[0052] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show the "ASSEMBLY POSITION" of the back
plate 16. To assemble the clip member 14 to the back plate 16, a
force (as shown by arrows) is applied to the back plate 16 to fully
squeeze the right and left wing members 32 and 34 together. As
illustrated in FIG. 6C, the cam hole 106 of the belt clip 14 is
oriented relative to the cam members 24 and 26 such that the cam
stops 54 and 56 align with the widest portion of the cam hole 106.
The cam hole 106 is then inserted over the cam members until the
cam stops 54 and 56 are above the surface 110 of the of the clip
member 14.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, as the cam stops 54 and 56
snap over the surface 110 of the clip member 14, the cam members
will separate until the cam followers (not visible) abut against
the cam hole 106. Thus, the cam followers are forced against the
inside surface of the cam hole 106 by the spreading force applied
by the arched portion 38 to the wing portions 321 and 34. As this
happens, the wing portions 32 and 34 will spread apart to the "OPEN
POSITION," the widest configuration of the back plate 16 after
being assembled to the clip member 14. In this position, the cam
stop side surfaces 140 and 142 are in position to abut against the
open cam stop abutment surfaces 114 and 118, respectively, in order
to prevent over rotation of the clip member 14 in an open
direction. In this position, the gripping flanges (not visible) of
the back plate 16 are opened wide enough to receive an electronic
device for which they are configured therein between.
[0054] Once the electronic device is properly aligned with the back
plate 16 and it is desired to secure the belt clip of the present
invention to the device, the clip member 14 is rotated from its
position as shown in FIG. 7A to the position of the clip member 14
shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. In this position, the wing portions
32 and 34 are being biased as shown by force arrows to maintain
engagement of the cam members with the cam hole 106. Furthermore,
the engagement of the cam hole 106 with the cam members 24 and 26
in this position places the cam members 24 and 26 in their closest
relative position such that the wing members 32 and 34 are pulled
together by the cam hole 106. The clip member 14 is then held in
place by the locking tab 25 which engages and secures the clip
member 14 relative to the back plate 16. Finally, to prevent over
rotation of the clip member 14 in the closed direction, the closed
cam stop abutment surfaces 112 and 116 abut against the cam stop
side surfaces 144 and 146, respectively.
[0055] When it is desired to return the back plate 16 to the open
position shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the locking tab is depressed so as
to become disengaged from the clip member 14. The clip member 14
can then be freely rotated back to the open position. Once
assembled, however, there is no need to disassemble the clip member
from the back plate 16 and the configuration of the engagement of
the clip member 14 to the back plate 16 allows the clip member 14
to stay attached to the back plate even when the clip member s
place in the open position.
[0056] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
illustrated embodiments of the camming belt clip of the present
invention is configured for attachment to a specific electronic
device, namely the IOMEGA Corporation HIPZIP. In order to utilize
the present invention on various other electronic devices, whether
presently known in the art or later developed, the relative
dimensions and contour of the back plate would be modified to match
that of the particular electronic device. Also, the flanges or
gripping features would be modified to engage with any surface
features on the electronic device to provide adequate attachment of
the back plate to the particular electronic device. Moreover, while
the belt clip member of the present invention is configured to be
attachable to a belt or other strap-like article, such as a
mounting strap or the waistband of a pair of pants or shorts,
reference herein to a belt clip member is intended to encompass any
type of attachment device for attaching the belt clip member to the
clothing or body of a user. For example, the belt clip member may
be configured to receive an elastic strap configured to be secured
to the upper arm of a user.
[0057] While the methods and apparatus of the present invention has
been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments to
illustrate what is believed to be the best mode of the invention,
it is contemplated that upon review of the present invention, those
of skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and
combinations may be made to the present embodiments without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in
the claims. The claims provided herein are intended to cover such
modifications and combinations and all equivalents thereof.
Reference herein to specific details of the illustrated embodiments
is by way of example and not by way of limitation.
* * * * *