U.S. patent application number 10/720723 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for rotational holster for an electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kimball, David S., Moberg, Sheldon B., Shetler, Lance.
Application Number | 20040155079 10/720723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21762600 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040155079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shetler, Lance ; et
al. |
August 12, 2004 |
Rotational holster for an electronic device
Abstract
A holster is provided with a clip portion for clipping to a
user's belt or other suitable location and a harness portion for
holding an electronic device, such as, but not limited to, a
medical infusion pump. The holster may include a rotation mechanism
that allows the holster to be rotated in a manner, to position and
maintain the electronic device in any one of a plurality of
selectable rotational orientations, while the holster is clipped to
the user's belt. Alternatively or in addition, the clip portion is
pivotally connected by a hinge to the harness portion, to allow the
harness portion to pivot upward relative to the clip portion. The
pivotal connection of the clip portion to the harness portion
allows the user pivot the harness portion (and, thus, a medical
device received in the harness portion) upward, for example, to
better accommodate the user's view or access to displays,
indicators, compartments, buttons or other manual operators on the
medical device.
Inventors: |
Shetler, Lance; (Downey,
CA) ; Moberg, Sheldon B.; (Granada Hills, CA)
; Kimball, David S.; (Irvine, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
2029 CENTURY PARK EAST
SUITE 3500
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
|
Assignee: |
Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
21762600 |
Appl. No.: |
10/720723 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10720723 |
Nov 24, 2003 |
|
|
|
10013938 |
Dec 7, 2001 |
|
|
|
6752299 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/197 ;
224/269; 224/666; 224/930 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0516 20130101;
A45C 2011/002 20130101; A45F 2005/026 20130101; A61M 5/1417
20130101; A61M 5/14244 20130101; F41C 33/045 20130101; A45F 5/021
20130101; Y10T 24/1391 20150115; Y10S 224/93 20130101; A45F 5/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/197 ;
224/666; 224/269; 224/930 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/52; A01K
097/04; A01K 097/06; A45F 005/00; A45C 001/04; A45F 003/00; F41C
033/02; F42B 039/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A holster for an electronic device, the holster comprising: a
harness portion for holding an electronic device; a clip portion
for clipping to a user's apparel; a mechanism for rotatably
attaching the harness portion to the clip portion, the rotatable
attachment mechanism allowing rotation of the harness portion
relative to the clip portion through a range of rotational
positions and maintaining each rotational position along the
rotation range against the force of gravity.
2. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism
includes at least one of the group consisting of a ratchet
mechanism, a rotary joint with sufficient frictional resistance to
maintain selected rotational orientations, a rotary joint with a
set screw, and a rotary joint with a locking pin.
3. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism
includes a ratchet mechanism.
4. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the ratchet mechanism
includes a ratchet pawl and a plurality of ratchet engagement
elements, wherein the ratchet pawl is disposed on one of the
harness portion and the clip portion and the plurality of ratchet
engagement elements are disposed on the other of the harness
portion and the clip portion.
5. A holster as recited in claim 4, wherein the plurality of
ratchet engagement elements include a plurality of
indentations.
6. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip portion
includes a belt clip.
7. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip portion
includes: a back plate rotatably coupled to the harness portion; a
clip member pivotally coupled to the back plate; a biasing
mechanism arranged to urge one end of the clip member toward the
back plate.
8. A holster as recited in claim 7, wherein the rotation mechanism
includes a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet pawl and a plurality
of ratchet engagement elements, wherein the ratchet pawl is
disposed on one of the harness portion and the back plate and the
plurality of ratchet engagement elements are disposed on the other
of the harness portion and the back plate.
9. A holster as recited in claim 8, wherein the ratchet engagement
elements include depressions.
10. A holster as recited in claim 7, wherein the rotation mechanism
includes a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet pawl and a plurality
of ratchet engagement elements, wherein the ratchet pawl is
disposed on the harness portion and the plurality of ratchet
engagement elements are disposed on the back plate.
11. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotatable
attachment mechanism includes a connector pin having a pin shaft
and a pin head, the pin shaft extending through the harness portion
and connecting to the clip portion, with the pin head disposed on
one side of the harness portion and with the clip portion disposed
on the opposite side of the harness portion.
12. A holster as recited in claim 11, wherein the connector pin
connects to a pin receptacle on the clip portion with a snap
connection.
13. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip portion is
pivotally connected by a hinge to the harness portion to allow the
harness portion to pivot upward relative to the clip portion.
14. A holster for an electronic device, the holster comprising: a
harness portion for holding an electronic device; a clip portion
for clipping to a user's apparel; a hinge for attaching the harness
portion to the clip portion to allow the harness portion to pivot
upward relative to the clip portion.
15. A holster as recited in claim 14, further comprising a
mechanism for rotatably attaching the harness portion to the clip
portion, the rotatable attachment mechanism allowing rotation of
the harness portion relative to the clip portion through a range of
rotational positions and maintaining each rotational position along
the rotation range against the force of gravity.
16. A holster as recited in claim 15, wherein the rotation
mechanism includes at least one of the group consisting of a
ratchet mechanism, a rotary joint with sufficient frictional
resistance to maintain selected rotational orientations, a rotary
joint with a set screw, and a rotary joint with a locking pin.
17. A holster as recited in claim 15, wherein the rotation
mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism.
18. A holster as recited in claim 17, wherein the ratchet mechanism
includes a ratchet pawl and a plurality of ratchet engagement
elements, wherein the ratchet pawl is disposed on one of the
harness portion and the clip portion and the plurality of ratchet
engagement elements are disposed on the other of the harness
portion and the clip portion.
19. A holster as recited in claim 15, wherein the clip portion
includes a belt clip.
20. A holster as recited in claim 15, wherein the clip portion
includes: a back plate rotatably coupled to the harness portion; a
clip member pivotally coupled to the back plate; a biasing
mechanism arranged to urge one end of the clip member toward the
back plate.
21. A method of retaining an electronic device, the method
comprising: holding an electronic device in a harness portion of a
holster; clipping a clip portion of a holster to a user's apparel;
rotatably attaching the harness portion to the clip portion, for
rotation of the harness portion relative to the clip portion
through a range of rotational positions; and maintaining each
rotational position along the rotation range against the force of
gravity.
22. A medical device and holster system comprising: a medical
device having medical tubing for connection to a user; a holster
comprising a harness portion for holding an electronic device, a
clip portion for clipping to a user's apparel, and a mechanism for
rotatably attaching the harness portion to the clip portion, the
rotatable attachment mechanism allowing rotation of the harness
portion relative to the clip portion through a range of rotational
positions and maintaining each rotational position along the
rotation range against the force of gravity.
23. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device
in a medical infusion pump
24. A holster as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device
is a medical monitor
25. A holster as recited in claim 14, wherein the electronic device
in a medical infusion pump.
26. A holster as recited in claim 14, wherein the electronic device
in a medical monitor.
27. A holster as recited in claim 15, wherein the electronic device
in a medical infusion pump.
28. A holster as recited in claim 15, wherein the electronic device
in a medical infusion pump.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, generally, to rotational
holsters for holding electronic devices and, in particular
embodiments, to holsters for holding a personal electronic device
such as, but not limited to, a medical infusion pump, on a user's
belt, while allowing the electronic device to be rotatable relative
to the belt, to position and maintain the electronic device in any
one of a plurality of selectable rotational orientations.
RELATED ART
[0002] Various holster products for handheld, personal electronic
devices are in popular use. For example, such holster products are
commonly used with mobile phones and pagers, to clip phones or
pagers to a user's belt. Typical holsters for pagers include a
housing or harness which holds the pager, and a belt clip connected
to the housing by a metal pin and a leaf spring, as shown in FIG.
1.
[0003] More specifically, with reference to FIG. 1, a typical
holster for a pager may include a housing or harness 10 having a
hollow interior for receiving and holding a pager (not shown). The
harness 10 includes a back wall that has one or more extensions 12
for receiving a pivot pin 14. The holster in FIG. 1 also includes a
clip member 16 having one or more extensions, corresponding to the
extensions 12 of the harness back wall 11, for receiving the pivot
pin 14. A leaf spring 18 is interposed between the clip member 16
and the harness back wall 11, to bias the clip member 16 into the
position shown in FIG. 1, relative to the harness. By pressing one
end 17 of the clip member 16 toward the back wall 11 of the
harness, the opposite end 19 of the clip member 16 pivots away from
the harness back wall 11, to allow the holster to be slipped over a
user's belt. Thereafter, the user may release the end 17 of the
clip member, to allow the clip member 16 to snap back toward the
harness back wall 11 under the force of the spring 18, to secure
the harness to the user's belt. The type of harness design shown in
FIG. 1 has certain advantages in that it is simple to operate, and
easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Similar harness designs are
utilized in conventional mobile telephone harnesses. Once clipped
to a user's belt, these types of harness designs tend to rigidly
hold the pager or mobile telephone to the user's belt. As the sizes
and shapes of mobile telephones have become more varied, the rigid
type of holster design, as outlined above, have become less optimum
for all cases. Larger telephones can obstruct the user's motion or
otherwise get in the way during common activities such as sitting
down in a chair, or entering or exiting a car. To address those
problems, free hanging holster designs were developed to allow the
telephone to rotate freely about a rotation pin, as the wearer went
about their daily activities. In such free hanging holster designs,
a belt clip is rotatably attached to a harness, well above the
center of gravity of the electronic device, to allow the electronic
device to freely rotate with the user's movements. Belt clips have
been used to attach other types of personal electronic devices to a
user's belt. For example, a mounting clip for mounting a medication
infusion pump to a patient is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,317.
In that patent, a clip member is configured to snap-on and snap-off
the back of a pump. Because of it's rigid, non-rotating, design, a
clip configuration as described in that patent may have limitations
as discussed above and, may also have limitations with respect to
routing of tubing between the pump and the patient. The tubing
extending between the infusion pump and the patient can require
different routes, depending upon the locations of the infusion pump
and the tubing connection (or insertion) to the patient's body.
Routing of the tubing from the infusion pump can be uncomfortable
and inconvenient for the infusion pump user for certain movements
or positions, because some rigid belt clips require the tubing to
extend straight upward from the belt. This orientation can be
uncomfortable and inconvenient for the pump user for certain
movements or positions. For example, when the user is sitting in a
chair, the tubing can press against the body and generate a site of
irritation. In addition, many infusion pump users try to be
discrete regarding their medical condition.
[0004] As a result, visible tubing extending from their belt line
can be a source of emotional discomfort and embarrassment. In
addition, some infusion pumps (or other electronic devices) include
displays, visual indicators or windows. In some cases, the
locations of these displays, indicators or windows can be difficult
for the user to see, when the infusion pump is clipped to the
user's belt. For example, the Minimed 508 infusion pump includes a
window on the front side of the infusion pump, with adjacent
interface buttons. It can also be somewhat difficult and
inconvenient to view a display screen of an infusion pump or
activate buttons or other operators on the infusion pump, while the
infusion pump is attached to the user's belt.. Typically, to view a
display screen or activate user operators on the infusion pump, the
infusion pump is removed from the belt so that the screen can be
viewed clearly and the buttons can be operated easily. This often
requires extracting the tubing from its concealed location and then
re-routing and concealing the tubing after the infusion pump is
replaced on the belt. Furthermore, some infusion pumps (or other
electronic devices) include battery compartments that must be
accessed to replace a battery. In some cases, the location of a
battery compartment can make it difficult for a user to replace a
battery, when the infusion pump is clipped to the user's belt. To
replace a battery, a user may have to remove the belt clip from the
infusion pump (or other electronic device), to gain access to the
battery compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to
holsters with clips for holding electronic devices, such as, but
not limited to, medical infusion pumps, medical monitors, medical
devices or other personal electronic devices, in a manner which
address the above-mentioned problems associated with conventional
belt clips and holster configurations. In particular embodiments, a
holster includes a clip for selectively attaching the personal
electronic device to a user's apparel, such as a user's belt, while
allowing the electronic device to be rotatable relative to the
user. The holster preferably includes a rotation mechanism that
allows the holster to be rotated in a manner, to position and
maintain the electronic device in any one of a plurality of
selectable rotational orientations. By allowing the user to select
and set the holster in any one of a plurality of selectable
orientations, the user may adjust the holster orientation to an
orientation that best suits the user's needs. In the contexts of
medical devices, such as medical infusion pumps or medical
monitors, the ability of the holster to maintain a set orientation
allows the user to arrange and route medical tubing, wiring or the
like, in a manner that best accommodates the orientation.
Additionally or alternatively, the user may select an orientation
that best accomodates the user's view or access to displays,
indicators, compartments, buttons or other manual operators on the
medical device. A holster according to an embodiment of the present
invention includes a harness portion and a clip portion. The
harness portion includes a receptacle for an electronic device or
medical device, such as a medical infusion pump or medical monitor.
The clip portion includes clip structure adapted to clip onto a
user's apparel, such as a belt, a pocket, a trouser waistband, or
the like. In a preferred embodiment, the clip structure includes a
belt clip. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the
clip portion is coupled to the harness portion through a rotation
mechanism, such that the clip and harness portions are rotatable
relative to each other through a range of rotational positions. In
additional embodiments, the rotation mechanism is configured to
maintain a rotational position along the rotation range against the
force of gravity. In this manner, the clip and harness portions may
be manually rotated relative to each other and will be maintained
(or locked) in a selected rotation position, until the user
manually re-adjusts the relative rotational positions of those
elements. In other embodiments of the present invention, the
rotation mechanism may include at least one of the group consisting
of a ratchet mechanism, a rotary joint with sufficient frictional
resistance to maintain selected rotational orientations, a rotary
joint with a set screw, and a rotary joint with a locking pin. In a
preferred embodiment, the rotation mechanism includes a ratchet
mechanism having a ratchet pawl and a plurality of ratchet
engagement elements. The ratchet pawl is disposed on one of the
harness portion and the clip portion and the plurality of ratchet
engagement elements are disposed on the other of the harness
portion and the clip portion. In a preferred embodiment, the
plurality of ratchet engagement elements are a plurality of
indentations. In a further embodiment the clip portion is pivotally
connected by a hinge to the harness portion, to allow the harness
portion to pivot upward relative to the clip portion. Yet further
embodiments include a hinge for pivotally connecting the clip
portion to the harness portion, but do not include a rotation
mechanism. The pivotal connection of the clip portion to the
harness portion allows the user pivot the harness portion (and,
thus, a medical device received in the harness portion) upward, for
example, to better accommodate the user's view or access to
displays, indicators, compartments, buttons or other manual
operators on the medical device. Embodiments of the invention may
be configured to hold, for example, a medical device, a medical
infusion pump, a medical monitor or a personal electronic
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-section, side view of a representative
example of a conventional holster configuration.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective, rear view of a holster according to
an embodiment of the invention, containing a medical infusion pump
device.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the holster of FIG. 2,
without a medical infusion pump device.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, side view of the holster of
FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of the holster of FIG.
3.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a harness portion of the holster of
FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows a back plate of the holster of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of the holster of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of a ratchet pawl and
engagement members of the holster of FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the holster of FIG. 3,
showing a pin connection to a pin receptacle.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a holster according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the holster of FIG.
11.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a front view of a holster according to yet
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the holster of FIG.
13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated mode of implementing the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to
holsters for holding electronic devices such as, but not limited
to, a medical infusion pumps, medical monitors or other personal
electronic devices, or the like. In particular embodiments, a
holster includes a clip for selectively attaching the personal
electronic device to a user's apparel, such as a user's belt, while
allowing the electronic device to be rotatable relative to the
user. The holster preferably includes a rotation mechanism that
allows the holster to be rotated in a manner, to position and
maintain the electronic device in any one of a plurality of
selectable rotational orientations. By allowing the user to select
and set the holster in any one of a plurality of selectable
orientations, the user may adjust the holster orientation to an
orientation that best suits the user's needs. Orientations may be
set for comfort for certain positions of the user, such as a
sitting position, walking position, sleeping position, etc. Once
the user sets the orientation, the holster preferably maintains the
set orientation until the user manually readjusts and resets the
holster orientation. In the contexts of medical devices, such as
medical infusion pumps, medical monitors, or the like, the ability
of the holster to maintain a set orientation allows the user to
arrange and route medical tubing, wiring or the like, in a manner
that best accommodates the orientation. Thus, the user may, for
example, route the tubing, wiring, or the like, under articles of
clothing or other suitable paths, for comfort and/or discreteness.
A holster 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, an infusion pump (shown in
broken lines) is held within the holster 20, while FIG. 3 shows the
holster 20 without an infusion pump. The holster 20 includes a
housing or harness portion 22 and a clip portion 24, examples of
which are described in more detail below. The harness portion 22
includes a receptacle for an infusion pump. The clip portion 24
includes clip structure adapted to clip onto a user's apparel, such
as a belt, a pocket, a trouser waistband, or the like. The clip
portion 24 is coupled to the harness portion 22 of the holster,
through a rotation mechanism, such that the clip and harness
portions are rotatable relative to each other through a range of
rotational positions. In addition, the rotation mechanism is
configured to maintain a rotational position along the rotation
range against the force of gravity. In this manner, the clip and
harness portions may be manually rotated relative to each other and
will maintain (or be locked) in a selected rotation position, until
the user manually re-adjusts the relative rotational positions of
those elements. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional, side view of the
holster 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3. As noted above, the holster 20
includes a harness portion 22 and a clip portion 24. Embodiments of
the present invention may employ various suitable clip
configurations and harness configurations for the clip and harness
portions, respectively. The clip configurations shown and described
herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments provide examples
of some suitable configurations. However, various aspects of the
invention are applicable to other clip configurations, as well. The
clip portion 24 of the holster in FIG. 4 includes a clip member 30
pivotally connected to a back plate 32, through a pivot joint 34.
The pivot joint 34 allows the clip member 30 to pivot relative to
the back plate 32, about the axis of a pivot pin 36. As a result,
the clip member 30 is pivotal in the direction of the double arrow
38. While other embodiments may employ other suitable clip
configurations; the clip member 30 shown in FIG. 4 includes a first
end 40 having a generally hook or U-shaped configuration. The hook
or U-shape allows the clip member 30 to extend under and slightly
up the front surface of a user's belt, when the clip portion 24 is
slipped over a user's belt (with the belt extending through the gap
42 between the clip member 30 and the back plate 32). The hook or
U-shaped end 40 allows the clip member 30 to retain the user's belt
within the depression of the hook or U-shape, to inhibit the belt
from slipping out of the clip portion. The hook or U-shaped end of
the clip member has a surface that faces the back plate 32 and that
is provided with a plurality of teeth or ridges and grooves 44. The
teeth 44 are configured to engage a corresponding set of teeth or
ridges and grooves 46 on the surface of the back plate 32 that
faces the clip member 30. The engaged sets of teeth 44 and 46
inhibit unintended opening of the clip member. In further
embodiments, the back plate 24 does not extend far enough to engage
the first end 40 of the clip member 30 and, instead, the first end
40 of the clip member 30 engages a surface of the back of the
harness portion 22. The clip member 30 includes a second end 48
disposed on the opposite side of the pivot joint 34, relative to
the first end 40 of the clip member. The second end 48 of the clip
member 30 is provided with an area 49 on which a user may press, to
urge the second end 48 of the clip member 30 toward the back plate
32 and harness 22. By manually pushing the second end 48 of the
clip member 30 toward the back plate 32, the clip member 30 is
caused to pivot about the pivot joint 34. As a result, the first
end 40 of the clip member 30 is caused to pivot in a direction away
from the back plate 32, to open the clip member 30. The second end
48 of the clip member 30 may be provided with a friction surface,
such as ridges, grooves, rough surface area, or the like, to
inhibit slipping of the user's thumb or fingers during a clip
opening operation. Various suitable types of pivot joints may be
employed in various embodiments of the invention. By way of
example, the pivot joint 34 shown in the drawings may include one
or more (two in the illustrated embodiment) extension portions 50
of the clip member 30 and one or more (two in the illustrated
embodiment) extension portions 52 of the back plate 32. (The
extension portions 50 of the clip member 30 are also shown in FIGS.
2, 3 and 5.) The extension portions 50 and 52 are connected by one
or more pins 54 (two in the illustrated embodiment), such that the
clip member 30 and/or the back plate 32 are/is rotatable about the
axis of the pin(s) 54. A spring 56 is arranged to urge the clip
member 30 toward a closed position, relative to the back plate. In
a closed position, the first end 40 of the clip member is engaged
with the back plate 32, as shown in FIG. 4. The spring 56 may be a
leaf spring, a coil spring, or any other suitable biasing
mechanism. The back plate 32 of the clip member 30 is rotatably
attached to the back wall of the harness portion 22, through a
rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is configured to
maintain a rotational position against the force of gravity. The
clip and harness portions may be manually rotated relative to each
other and will maintain (or be locked in) a selected rotational
position, until the user manually re-adjusts the relative
rotational positions of those elements. In this manner, the holster
can be rotated and, yet, can also rigidly hold an electronic device
in the harness portion 22 in a predetermined number of
user-selectable positions. Thus, the user may orient the electronic
device in a position that is most comfortable, allows the user to
view displays, compartments, buttons or other operators, or
otherwise best meets the user's needs. In contexts of holding
medical infusion pumps or medical monitors, the rotation mechanism
allows the user to rotate and set the infusion pump or medical
monitor into a selected orientation and route the infusion pump or
monitor tubing to best meet the user's needs with respect to
comfort and discreteness. The rotation mechanism allows selected
rotation of the harness portion 22 relative to the clip portion 24
about an axis of rotation, shown in FIG. 4 as axis A. In preferred
embodiments, the axis or rotation A is selected to be about or near
the center of gravity of the harness portion 22, when the harness
portion 22 has an electronic device received therein. As a result,
any rotation correcting torque acting on the center of gravity of
the combined harness portion 22 and electronic device received
therein will be minimized. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the
rotation mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism. Further
embodiments of the present invention may employ other suitable
types of rotation mechanisms that maintain user-selected positions
against the force of gravity. Such other rotation mechanisms may
include, but are not limited to, high friction rotary joints,
threaded connectors that that can be manually tightened to inhibit
rotation and un-tightened to allow rotation (such as a threaded
axle and nut arrangement), or the like. As described in further
detail below, other embodiments may employ a lock spring requiring
the harness portion 22 to be manually pulled slightly away from the
clip portion 24 to unlock the rotation lock and allow rotation. In
yet a further embodiment, selected rotation of the harness portion
22 relative to the clip portion 24 may be effected by a simple
rotary joint and a push-button lock for locking the harness portion
in a desired rotational orientation. The ratchet mechanism employed
in the FIG. 4 embodiment may be more readily understood with
reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. FIG. 5 is a partially exploded
view of the holster 20 of FIG. 4, showing the harness portion 22,
the clip portion 24 and a connector pin member 58. FIG. 6 shows the
back wall of the harness portion 22, as viewed from the direction
of the back plate 32. FIG. 7 shows the back plate 32, as viewed
from the direction of the harness portion 22. In other words, FIGS.
6 and 7 show the respectively facing surfaces of the harness
portion 22 and the back plate 32. FIG. 8 shows the front side of
the assembled holster 20. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet
pawl 60 on the harness portion 22 (FIG. 6) and a set of engagement
elements 70 on the back plate (FIG. 7). The ratchet pawl 60 and
engagement elements 70 operate in conjunction with a rotary joint
formed by the connector pin 58 (FIG. 5) and a pin receptacle 72 on
the back plate 32 (FIG. 7). In other embodiments, the order of the
ratchet pawl and engagement elements may be reversed, such that the
ratchet pawl 60 is provided on the back plate 32 and the engagement
elements are provided on the back wall of the harness portion 22.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ratchet pawl 60 includes a
cantilevered element having one end 62 connected to (or extending
from) the harness portion and a second end 64 free for limited
movement. The second end 64 of the ratchet pawl 60 is provided with
a protrusion extending toward the back plate 32, for selectively
engaging the engagement elements 70 on the back plate 32. The
engagement elements 70 extend partially around the rotation axis A
and, in further embodiments, may extend completely around the
rotation axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement
elements 70 include indentations or detents arranged to engage the
protrusions on the second end 64 of the ratchet pawl 60, as the
harness portion 22 is rotated relative to the clip portion 24. The
size and shape of the protrusion on the ratchet pawl 60 and the
indentations or detents 70 are selected to allow the protrusion to
at least partially enter each indentation or detent 70 and be
restrained from disengaging the indentation or detent without a
suitable manual force applied by the user to rotate the harness
portion 22 relative to the clip portion 24. In further embodiments,
the placement of the protrusion and indentations or detents may be
reversed, where the second end of the ratchet pawl includes an
indentation or detent and where the plurality of engagement
elements on the back plate 32 includes a plurality of protrusions
arranged to be selectively engaged by the indentation or detent in
the ratchet pawl. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratchet pawl
60 and the engagement members 70 are formed integral with the
harness portion 22 and back plate 32, respectively. For example,
the ratchet pawl 60 may be formed during a molding process, as part
of a molded harness portion 22. As such, the pawl 60 may be formed
of the same material (for example, plastic material) as the harness
portion 22 and is moveable by virtue of its cantilevered shape and
inherent flexibility of the material. Such a pawl configuration may
be desirable for purposes of minimizing manufacturing costs.
However, such a pawl configuration may result in operational
stresses that could lead to pawl breakage and, thus, a reduced
operational life of the ratchet mechanism. Accordingly, preferred
embodiments of the present invention may employ one or more pawl
configuration aspects for providing improved operational life. With
reference to FIG. 9, according to one aspect, the first end 62 of
the pawl is provided with a thickened portion or bulge to help
distribute stress along the length of the pawl. As most of the
flexing stress would normally occur near the fixed first end 62 of
the pawl, the pawl is formed with a greater thickness at region of
the first end for additional strength and stress distribution.
According to another aspect, the pawl 60 is provided with a
hollowed portion 67, along the length of the pawl between the
thickened portion and free end 64 of the pawl. The hollow portion
67 also helps to distribute stress along the pawl length, to avoid
concentrating too much stress on the first end 62 of the pawl.
According to yet another aspect, the opening around the pawl 60
(best shown as the U-shaped opening 68 in FIG. 6) defines a convex
radius at each of the edges 69 adjacent the fixed end 62 of the
pawl 60. By forming the edges 69 with a convex radius, stress
incurred during flexing of the pawl 60 is better distributed along
the length of the pawl. As noted above, a rotary joint, including
the connector pin 58, connects the harness portion 22 and clip
portion 24 for rotation relative to each other. In the illustrated
embodiment, the connector pin 58 includes a pin shaft 80 and a pin
head 82. The pin shaft 80 is configured to pass through an opening
66 (FIG. 6) in the harness portion 22 and engage a pin receptacle
72 (FIG. 7) on the back plate 32. The pin shaft 80 preferably
rigidly connects to the pin receptacle by a snap or friction
connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the snap connection is
provided by interaction between the pin shaft 80 and the pin
receptacle 72. In particular, the pin receptacle 72 includes two
arched walls 72A and 72B that define a central opening in which the
pin shaft 80 may be inserted. The arched walls 72A and 72B, each
include a lip or shelf 73 extending partially around the central
opening. The pin shaft 80 includes a tapered pin end 81 to allow
the pin to be readily inserted into the central opening of the
receptacle 72 during assembly. As the pin is inserted into the
central opening, the tapered end 81 of the pin engages the walls
72A and 72B and flexes the walls 72A and 72B radially outward. Once
the pin is inserted far enough that the tapered end 81 of the pin
58 passes into the receptacle 72, the walls 72A and 72B snaps into
a smaller diameter portion of the pin shaft 80 adjacent the tapered
pin end 81. The pin end also includes an annular shelf 83 that
engages the lip 73 of the arched walls 72A and 72B, once the pin 58
is fully inserted into the central opening of the receptacle 72.
Thus, by inserting the pin 58 into the receptacle 72, a snap
connection is formed between the pin 58 and the receptacle 72. The
pin shaft 80 and pin receptacle 72 are configured to inhibit
rotation of the pin shaft 80 (and, thus, the pin 58) relative to
the pin receptacle 72, once engaged. In the illustrated embodiment,
the pin shaft 80 is provided with one or more keys or protrusions
that engage one or more slots or grooves in the pin receptacle 72,
to inhibit relative rotation of the pin 58 and the pin receptacle
72. In other embodiments, other pin and pin receptacle
configurations for inhibiting relative rotation may be employed,
including, but not limited to, pin shafts having non-circular
(e.g., polygonal, oval, or the like) cross sectional shapes that
match a correspondingly shaped aperture in the receptacle 72. While
rotation of the pin 58 relative to the pin receptacle 72 is
inhibited by the keyed configuration, the pin 58 is rotatable
relative to the harness portion 22. In this manner, when the pin 58
is engaged in the pin receptacle 72, the clip portion 24 and pin 58
are rotatable, together, relative to the harness portion 22. As the
user rotates the harness portion 22 relative to the clip portion
24, the ratchet pawl 60 on the harness portion 22 has a path of
motion around the axis A of the connector pin 58. During rotation
of the harness portion 22 relative to the clip portion 24, the
ratchet pawl 60 engages and disengages the engagement members 70
along the pawl's path of motion. The user may stop rotating the
harness portion 22 relative to the clip portion 24 at any one of
the plurality of positions along the pawl's path of motion at which
the pawl engages an engagement member. By virtue of
the engagement of the pawl with an engagement member, the harness
portion 22 will be inhibited from further rotation relative to the
clip portion 24, until or unless the user manually rotates the
harness portion 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector
pin 58 has a head 82 that is shaped to selectively engage stop
members on the harness portion 22. With reference to FIG. 8, the
connector pin head 82 is shown in a position at which one edge 84
of the pin head is abutting a first stop member 86. Rotational
motion of the harness portion 22 relative to the clip portion 24 of
the holster 20 effects a rotation of the harness portion 22
relative to the pin head 82 about the pin axis A, until a second
edge 85 of the pin head abuts a second stop member 88. The stop
members 86 and 88 may include protruding elements on the surface of
the back wall of the harness portion 22 facing the interior of the
harness receptacle. In other embodiments, one or more stop members
may be located at any suitable position to engage the pin head 82
and inhibit further rotational motion of the harness portion 22
relative to the clip portion 24. The harness portion 22 has a top
opening 90 (FIGS. 3 and 4), through which an electronic device or
medical device (for example, a medical infusion pump or medical
monitor) may be inserted into or removed from the harness
receptacle. The harness also has an open front side 92 (FIG. 4 and
8) and an open bottom side 96 (FIGS. 4 and 8), to allow viewing of
the front and bottom sides of an electrical device or medical
device (for example, a medical infusion pump or medical monitor)
received within the harness receptacle. In addition, the open
bottom side 96 allows user access to unclip and/or push an
electrical device or medical device (for example, a medical
infusion pump or medical monitor) out of the harness portion, for
example, for servicing, replacing or the like. The harness portion
22 in the illustrated embodiment is composed of an integral member
having a back wall 100 and side walls 102 and 104. The back wall
100 and side walls 102 and 104 curve under the receptacle and
define flanges that partially surround the open bottom side 96 and
restrain an electrical device or medical device (for example, a
medical infusion pump or medical monitor) from falling out through
the open bottom side 96 of the harness receptacle. The side walls
102 and 104 extend from the back wall 100 and curve slightly
inward, such that, when an electrical device or medical device (for
example, a medical infusion pump or medical monitor) is received in
the harness receptacle, the side walls curve slightly around the
electronic device and inhibit the device from falling out through
the open front side 92 of the harness receptacle. In this manner,
the harness portion 22 defines a receptacle that is capable of
holding and retaining an electrical device or medical device (for
example, a medical infusion pump or medical monitor). In addition,
the harness portion 22 provides openings at the bottom, front and
top of the sides of the receptacle for allowing a user to readily
view or access displays, indicators, compartments, buttons or other
operators on the electronic device. The receptacle of the harness
portion 22 is configured to be of a suitable size and shape for
receiving an electrical device or medical device (for example, a
medical infusion pump or medical monitor), through the top opening
90 (FIG. 4). In preferred embodiments, one or more of the
dimensions of the harness receptacle are selected to result in a
frictional fit of the electronic device in the harness receptacle.
In further preferred embodiments, the interior of the harness
receptacle may be provided with one or more ribs 106 for engaging
one or more surfaces of the electronic device to provide or enhance
the friction fit, when the electronic device is received within the
harness receptacle. The ribs 106 are preferably arranged to have a
longitudinal dimension extending in the direction of inserting and
withdrawing of an electronic device from the harness receptacle. In
this manner, the ribs do not inhibit or obstruct motion of the
electronic device in the inserting or withdrawing direction. The
harness portion 22 may be provided with one or more locking
mechanisms for locking an electrical device or medical device (for
example, a medical infusion pump or medical monitor) in the harness
receptacle. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism may include a
slot 108 for engaging a protrusion (not shown) on the electronic
device in a snap-fitting manner. Other embodiments may employ other
suitable locking mechanisms including, but not limited to, other
types of snap-fitting connectors, threaded connectors, or the like.
Yet other embodiments employ only the friction fit of the
electronic device within the harness receptacle to retain the
electronic device within the harness. Thus, as described above, a
holster 20 provides a harness receptacle for holding and retaining
an electrical device or medical device (for example, a medical
infusion pump or medical monitor) and on a user's belt or other
suitable location. The holster 20 allows the user to rotate the
harness portion relative to the clip portion of the holster, for
adjusting the orientation of the harness portion (and, thus, the
electronic device), while the clip portion is secured to the user's
belt or other suitable location. In addition, the holster 20
retains the user-adjusted orientation of the harness portion, until
the user re-adjusts the orientation by, again, manually rotating
the harness portion relative to the clip portion. In another
embodiment, a holster is provided with a harness portion that is
adapted to flip or pivot relative to a clip portion of the holster.
The flip function and structure may be employed in combination with
a rotation function and structure as described above.
Alternatively, further embodiments may employ a flip function and
structure without the rotation functions and structure described
above. A holster 120 having a flip function and structure is shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12. The holster 120 has a configuration and
operation that is similar in many respects to the holster
embodiment 20 described above. Accordingly, corresponding
components are labeled with similar reference characters. Various
aspects and features of holster 120 that are identical or similar
to those of holster 20 are described above with respect to holster
20 and are incorporated herein by reference. Unlike the holster
embodiment 20 described above, the holster embodiment 120 in FIGS.
11 and 12 includes a hinge 122 located near the top end of the
holster, for allowing the harness portion 22 to flip or pivot away
from the clip member 30. In the embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
hinge 122 is provided as part of the back plate 32. In particular,
the back plate 32 includes section 124 that is connected to the
harness portion 22, for example, in the manner discussed above with
respect to the rotation mechanism. The back plate 32 also includes
a section 126 that is separated from the section 124, but hingedly
coupled to section 124 by the hinge 122. The section 126 includes
the extensions 52 for pivotal connection to the clip member 30, as
described above. In preferred embodiments, the hinge 122 includes a
bias spring 128, for biasing the hinge such that the clip member 30
is urged toward the back plate 32. In a further preferred
embodiment, the holster 120 may include a mechanism for locking the
holster in a flipped up or pivoted up mode, such as a further bias
spring, a locking pin or the like. The hinge 122 has a hinge or
pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the
clip member 30 of the holster's clip portion. Accordingly, when the
clip portion is clipped to a user's belt or other suitable
location, the hinge 122 will allow a user to pivot the harness
portion 22 about the axis of hinge 122 and, thus, flip the harness
portion 22 (and an electronic device held therein) upward. This
allows the user to readily view and/or access various areas of the
electronic device that may have displays, indicators, compartments,
buttons or other manual operators, without removing the electronic
device from the holster or unclipping the holster from the user. In
alternative embodiments that do not employ a rotational connection
between the harness portion 22 and the clip portion 24 of the
holster, a hinge, similar to hinge 122, may be arranged between the
harness portion 22 and the clip portion 24 to effect the flip or
pivot function described above. In various embodiments described
above, the rotation mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism.
However, as also described above, further embodiments of the
present invention may employ other suitable types of rotation
mechanisms that maintain user-selected positions against the force
of gravity. An example of a holster 220 having another type of
rotation mechanism is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13.
The holster 220 has a configuration and operation that is similar
in many respects to the holster embodiment 20 described above.
Accordingly, corresponding components are labeled with similar
reference characters. Various aspects and features of holster 220
that are identical or similar to those of holster 20 are described
above with respect to holster 20 and are incorporated herein by
reference. The holster 220 in FIGS. 13 and 14 employs a lock spring
requiring the harness portion 22 to be manually pulled slightly
away from the clip portion 24 to unlock the rotation lock and allow
rotation. In such embodiments, the user simply pulls the harness
portion 22 away from the clip portion 24 and rotates the harness
portion to a desired orientation. Once the desired orientation is
reached, the user releases the harness portion 22 from its pulled
away position to allow the lock spring to urge the harness portion
22 back toward the clip portion 24 and lock against rotation out of
the desired orientation. In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14, the
connecting pin 58' has a star-shaped head having a plurality of
arms. The free ends of the arms of the pin head include projections
222 that create a small gap 224 between the remainder of the pin
arms and the back wall of the harness portion 22. The pin 58' is
made of a material that provides sufficient resiliency and
flexibility to allow the pin 58' to act as a return spring against
a user pulling the harness portion 22 away from the clip portion
24. By pulling the harness portion away from the clip portion 24,
the pin 58' flexes within the gap 224 and allows the harness
portion 22 to be slightly separated from the clip portion 24,
against the spring force of the arms of the pin 58'. By slightly
separating the harness portion 22 and the clip portion 24 in this
manner, one or more teeth or other engagement members 226 on the
back wall 100 of the harness portion 22 disengage with one or more
corresponding teeth or engagement members 228 on the back plate 32
of the clip portion 24. Thus, when the user pulls the harness
portion 22 and the clip portion 24 away from each other, those two
elements separate by a slight amount to disengage the teeth or
engagement members 226 and 228 and allow the harness portion 22 to
rotate relative to the clip portion 24 to a new rotational
position. When the user releases the two elements, the pin 58'
forces the harness portion 22 and the clip portion 24 back
together, such that the teeth or engagement members 226 and 228
engage and interlock in the new rotational position. Once the teeth
or engagement members 226 and 228 are engaged and held in
engagement by the spring force of the pin 58', the harness portion
22 will be inhibited from rotating relative to the clip portion 24.
In preferred embodiments, the components that form the holster
configurations described above are manufactured in an economical
manner. According to one embodiment, various components, including
the clip member 30, the back plate 32, the harness portion 22 and
the connector pin 58 are made of a suitable plastic or polymer
material, having sufficient rigidity and strength to carry out the
functions described herein. Such components may be formed by
molding, machining, stamping, extruding, combinations thereof, or
other suitable manufacturing processes. In one preferred
embodiment, the harness portion 22 is formed as a single, unitary
molded component, the back plate 32 including the pin receptacle 72
is formed as another, single, unitary molded component and the clip
member 30 is formed as yet another, single, unitary molded
component. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of
the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
* * * * *