U.S. patent application number 10/177287 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for adjustable clip holder for electronic device.
Invention is credited to Faerber, Paul James, Rye, Ryan P..
Application Number | 20030233736 10/177287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29734348 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030233736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faerber, Paul James ; et
al. |
December 25, 2003 |
Adjustable clip holder for electronic device
Abstract
This invention includes a clip holder for use with a portable
electronic device. The clip holder employs a flexible cable as a
retention device. The flexible cable passes through an aperture 210
formed by a central member and a support member, thereby forming
two closed loops. The size of each loop may be adjusted. In its
smallest configuration, the clip holder is suitable for attachment
to a button on a garment. In an alternate configuration, a loop may
be folded over itself and attached to a hook member through a
second loop, thereby forming a secure, closed loop around any solid
object, including belts, purse straps, bicycle parts, lanyards and
backpacks. The clip holder includes a latching assembly for
coupling to the appropriate portable electronic device.
Inventors: |
Faerber, Paul James;
(Lawrenceville, GA) ; Rye, Ryan P.;
(Lawrenceville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Motorola Energy Systems Group
Attn: Zilla Higgs
Law Department
1700 Belle Meade Court
Lawrenceville
GA
30043
US
|
Family ID: |
29734348 |
Appl. No.: |
10/177287 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1394 20150115;
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2005/026 20130101; A45C 2001/022 20130101;
A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 2200/0516 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/3.12 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/02; A44B
021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A clip holder comprising: a. a central member; b. a support
member coupled to the central member, wherein the coupling of the
support member to the central member forms at least one aperture
210; and c. a cord, wherein the cord passes through the at least
one aperture 210; wherein when the cord has passed through the at
least one aperture 210, at least a first loop and a second loop are
formed, the first loop being on the opposite side of the support
member from the second loop.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the cord is elastic.
3. The holder of claim 1, further comprising a hook member coupled
to the central member.
4. The holder of claim 3, further comprising a latching assembly
coupled to the central member, the latching assembly for coupling
the holder to a portable electronic device.
5. The holder of claim 4, further comprising a brake, the brake
being actuated by a brake button, wherein the brake, when
unactuated, exerts force on the elastic cord.
6. The holder of claim 5, wherein the latching assembly comprises
a. a retention latch; b. a spring; and c. a push-button release
coupled to the retention latch; wherein the retention latch is
actuated by the push-button release; further wherein when the
push-button release is actuated by an actuating force, the spring
exerts a force in the opposite direction of the actuating
force.
7. A method of using a clip holder, the method comprising the steps
of: a. providing the clip holder of claim 1; b. passing an object
through the first loop; and c. pulling the second loop away from
the support member to remove any slack from the first loop.
8. A method of using a clip holder, the method comprising the steps
of: a. providing the clip holder of claim 2; b. passing the elastic
cord forming the first loop about an object; c. passing the elastic
cord forming the first loop through the second loop; and d. passing
the elastic cord forming the first loop about the hook member.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates generally to portable electronic
devices, and more particularly to an adapter for removably,
mechanically coupling a portable device another object.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Cellular phones are becoming ever more popular. With calling
plans offering over 4000 minutes for less than $50 per month, it
seems that everyone today is carrying a cellular phone. Many people
like to have their cellular phones in close proximity to that they
may answer calls quickly. As opposed to carrying the phones in
pockets, many people today use belt clips to keep their phones
close at hand.
[0005] Belt clips, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,184
to Hauck et al., are known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1,
illustrated therein is a typical prior art belt clip. The belt clip
6 comprises a rigid, plate-like member 27 with a latching means 28
for coupling to a portable electronic device. The plate-like member
27 of the belt clip 6 then generally has a resilient, springy clip
portion 32 for attaching the belt clip 6 to the belt 8 as indicated
in FIG. 1.
[0006] The problem with these prior art belt clips is that they are
only suitable for thin, flat objects like belts. If a user wants to
couple the electronic device to something that is not shaped like a
belt, a bicycle handlebar for example, it would be impossible to
do. The springy clip simply will not spring enough to go around a
tubular piece of metal like a handlebar.
[0007] Additionally, many people do not wear belts. Many dresses
for females, for example, are sans belts. Men may in fact wear
Sansabelt.TM. slacks. Some people are more comfortable wearing
mu{grave over ()}u mu{grave over ()}us. For these users, a belt
clip is ineffective for attaching an electronic device to their
personage.
[0008] There is thus a need for an improved clip holder for
electronic devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art belt clip.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a clip holder in accordance
with the invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a first method of use of the clip holder
of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second method of use of the clip
holder of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exemplary latching assembly for a clip holder
in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in
detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts
throughout the views. As used in the description herein and
throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings
explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise: the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural
reference, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on."
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a preferred
embodiment of a clip holder 200 for portable electronic devices in
accordance with the invention. The clip holder 200 includes a
central member 201 having a support member 202 coupled thereto.
Note that the support member 202 may be a separate component that
is attached to the central member 201, or may be constructed as an
integral component in the central member.
[0016] Through an aperture 210 formed between the support member
202 and the central member 201, a cord 204 is passed. The cord is
preferably circular in shape and elastic, although it need not be.
Any equivalent material capable of forming a flexible loop would
suffice. In the preferred embodiment, the cord 204 is similar to
hair elastics used to hold ponytail hairdos in place. The cord 204
creates two closed loops 207,208. The loops 207,208 are at opposite
sides of the support member 202. The aperture 210 is designed such
that there are frictional forces between the cord 204 and the
support member 201.
[0017] A hook member 203 is also provided. The hook member 203 is
coupled to the central member 201. The central member 201 further
includes a latching assembly 205, which is preferably located on
the opposite side of the central member 201 from the cord 204. The
latching assembly is for coupling the central member 201 to a
portable electronic device. The latching assembly 205 may be any of
those known in the art, and may include a push-button release 206
for decoupling the electronic device from the clip holder 200.
[0018] The clip holder 200 may be used in at least two different
ways. The first is as shown in FIG. 2. A solid object may be passed
through one loop 207. The user then pulls the cord 204 at the other
loop 208 to tighten any slack that may be present. The frictional
forces keep the cord 204 from slipping. Alternatively, an optional
brake button 209 may be provided that is spring coupled to a brake
mechanism in the aperture 210. The user depresses the brake button
209 to release the brake, thereby allowing the cord 204 to pass
through the aperture 210. When the brake button 209 is released,
the brake grips the cord 204, thereby stopping its motion through
the aperture 210. In either event, the hook member 203 provides a
one-way stop should either the frictional forces or brake mechanism
fail.
[0019] Such an application is shown in FIG. 3. Illustrated therein
is the clip holder 200 coupled to a portable electronic device 300
by way of the latching assembly 205. A button 301 has been passed
through the first loop, and the slack has been taken out by pulling
the second loop 208 of the cord 204. The electronic device 300 has
thus been coupled to a button 301 in a way not possible with an
ordinary belt clip.
[0020] The second way of using the clip holder 200 is shown in FIG.
4. Illustrated therein are the central member 201, the support
member 202 and the cord 204, just as in FIG. 2. In the method
illustrated in FIG. 4, however, the first loop 207 has been passed
through the second loop 208 and over the hook member 203. In this
manner, a third loop 401 is formed, shown by way of line segment
400 that passes through the third loop 401. The third loop 401 is a
secure, closed loop supported by the hook member 203 and the second
loop 208. If the user wraps the cord 204 about another object, like
a bicycle handlebar or backpack strap for example, the clip holder
then serves a coupling means between the electronic device and the
other object. If the cord 204 is elastic, the cord 204 may be
wrapped around an object with a thickness greater that that of the
third loop 401. The elastic 204 would then expand, thereby offering
a snug fit. Hence, the clip holder 200 is capable of coupling to
large solid objects, as well as through small holes, in ways that
traditional belt clips cannot. Such an embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is both a plan
view and a side, elevated view of a clip holder 200 in accordance
with the invention. The views of FIG. 6 are to illustrate a
preferred latching assembly 205 for portable electronic devices. It
will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that any number
of equivalent latching systems may be substituted for this
exemplary embodiment. The latching assembly 205 is essentially a
protrusion from the central member 201 that inserts into an
aperture 210 in the electronic device. The latching assembly
includes a retention latch 600 that is actuated by the push-button
release 206. When the push-button release 206 is depressed, a
connecting member 601 causes the retention latch 600 to move within
the edges of the latching assembly 205. This allows the latching
assembly 205 to move freely in the aperture 210. Once the latching
assembly 205 is within the aperture 210, the spring-loaded
push-button release is released, thereby causing the retention
latch 600 to mate with the appropriate retention stop within the
aperture 210. The clip holder 200 is disconnected from the
electronic device by following these steps in the reverse
order.
[0022] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not so
limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,
substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the following claims. For example, the
optional brake button and brake may be employed with the embodiment
of FIG. as well as the embodiment of FIG. 2.
* * * * *