U.S. patent application number 10/481401 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for electronic device holder.
Invention is credited to Orenstein, Joe.
Application Number | 20040256432 10/481401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9915726 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040256432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orenstein, Joe |
December 23, 2004 |
Electronic device holder
Abstract
A holder (1) for a hand held electronic device comprises
carrying means (2) by which a user can carry the holder, and
holding means (4) defining a closed loop (10) into which said
device can be inserted, which holding means comprises a
substantially rigid holding member (8) having a planar surface and
integrally formed release means (14) in a plane substantially
parallel to the planar surface or in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the planar surface for, in use, releasing a device
from the holder.
Inventors: |
Orenstein, Joe; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Family ID: |
9915726 |
Appl. No.: |
10/481401 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
May 31, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/02551 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/660 ;
224/930 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; G06F
1/1628 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F 2200/0516 20130101; A45C
2011/002 20130101; A45F 2200/0508 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101;
H04B 1/3888 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/660 ;
224/930 |
International
Class: |
A45C 001/04; A45F
003/00; F41C 033/02; F42B 039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 1, 2001 |
GB |
0113356.0 |
Claims
1. A holder for a hand held electronic device, the holder
comprising carrying means by which a user can carry the holder, and
holding means defining a closed loop into which said device can be
inserted, which holding means comprises a substantially rigid
holding member having a planar surface and integrally formed
release means selected from the group consisting of release means
in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface and release
means or in a plane substantially perpendicular to the planar
surface for, in use, releasing a device from the holder.
2. A holder according to claim 1 which further comprises a facia
panel in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface.
3. A holder according to claim 2 wherein the facia panel is
releasably attachable to the holder.
4. A holder according to claim 1 which is substantially rigid and
includes a hinged portion.
5. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the closed loop comprises
resilient material.
6. A holder according to claim 5 wherein the resilient material and
the holding member together form a closed loop.
7. A holder according to claim 5 wherein the resilient material per
se forms a closed loop.
8. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the release means
comprises opposing projections on the periphery of the holding
member.
9. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the release means
comprises a push button.
10. A holder according to claim 9 wherein the push button is in a
plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the planar
surface.
11. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the closed loop includes
an at least partially cushioned inner surface.
12. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the holder further
comprises adjusting means for adjusting the size of the closed
loop.
13. A holder according to claim 12 wherein the adjustment means
allows for adjustment of the closed loop between a plurality of
predetermined positions.
14. A holder according to claim 13 wherein the closed loop is
formed from the holding member and resilient material, and the
adjustment means comprises a plurality of stepwise projections on
the holding member, at least one end of the resilient material
being positionable in a plurality of positions which respectively
correspond to positions between adjacent projections.
15. A holder according to claim 14 wherein both ends of the
resilient material are positionable in a plurality of positions
which respectively correspond to positions between adjacent
projections.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for a personal
hand held electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, electronic
organiser, personal digital assistant and the like.
[0002] An existing mobile telephone holder attempts to improve the
comfort for the wearer and hold the mobile telephone in a more
secure manner by having a loop or clip for attaching the holder to
a belt, and a band into which the telephone is inserted, to hold
the telephone with its lengthwise axis substantially parallel to
the ground. The band is formed from first and second leather
members which are securable by a Velcro (RTM) fastening, which
apply a positive hugging force to the telephone to secure it in
place within the band. However, this holder suffers from certain
disadvantages. The telephone is removed from the holder by
unfastening the Velcro (RTM) fastening, which is noisy, awkward for
the user, can catch on and cause damage to the clothing, and over
time can result in wear of the Velcro (RTM), to such an extent that
the fastening may eventually fail resulting in damage to or loss of
the telephone. The holder also lacks versatility by being suitable
for carrying only a particular size of telephone, and lacks
aesthetic appeal, making it unpopular with some potential
users.
[0003] According to the present invention there is provided a
holder for a hand held electronic device, the holder comprising
carrying means by which a user can carry the holder, and holding
means defining a closed loop into which said device can be
inserted, which holding means comprises a substantially rigid
holding member having a planar surface and integrally formed
release means in a plane substantially parallel to the planar
surface or in a plane substantially perpendicular to the planar
surface for, in use, releasing a device from the holder.
[0004] The holding means comprises a closed loop into which the
device can be inserted and held. The closed loop may comprise
resilient material, such that the closed loop applies a positive
hugging force to a device held therein. When the closed loop
comprises resilient material, it may comprise a single member
having at least a portion of resilient material which is attached
to or passes through the holding member, for example through a slit
in the holding member. As a single member, the resilient material
per se may form the closed loop, or may form the closed loop
together with the holding member.
[0005] Alternatively, the closed loop may comprise first and second
members at least one of which has a portion of resilient material.
The first and second members may be independently non-releasably
attached to the holding member, or releasably attachable to the
holding member, for example by clips, buckles, fasteners and the
like.
[0006] The use of resilient material acts to provide a gripping
force which ensures that the device is secured within the holder.
Further, the flexible nature of the resilient material permits
different-sized devices to be gripped by the holder. For example,
the holder can accommodate different shape and sizes of mobile
phones, cameras, personal organisers or similar devices.
[0007] Alternatively, the closed loop may be substantially rigid,
having a hinged portion by which it may be opened to allow location
and removal of a device. In this embodiment, the closed loop may be
opened and closed as will be apparent to those skilled in the art,
for example by means of a releasable catch.
[0008] In use, the release means is engaged by the user to allow
location into and removal of a device from the holder. The release
means is in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface of
the holding means or in a plane substantially perpendicular to the
planar surface. Having the release means in a plane substantially
parallel to the planar surface can optimise purchase thereon for
the user when locating or removing the electronic device, in
particular when the closed loop comprising resilient material,
whereas having the release means in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the planar surface can optimise access to the
release means for the user, in particular when the holder is
substantially rigid and includes a hinged portion. The release
means is formed integrally with the holding member, which can
increase versatility and reduce manufacturing cost.
[0009] For example, when the closed loop comprises resilient
material, the release means may comprise at least one projection on
the periphery of the holding member which may be pulled by the user
to stretch the resilient material and slidably locate or remove the
electronic device from the holder. In this embodiment, the holding
member and projection(s) may conveniently be formed from a single
moulded plastics material, which may be coloured as desired, or may
be transparent to allow the device to be viewed within the holder.
The holding member and projection(s) may alternatively be formed
from metal. In this embodiment the release means preferably
comprises opposing projections on the periphery of the holding
member, conveniently two projections. The opposing projections may
be positioned around the periphery of the holding member such that,
in use, they are positioned along an axis normal to the ground, or
an axis parallel to the ground. Of course, the release means may
comprise more than two projections, preferably positioned
equidistantly around the periphery of the holding member. The
release means may comprise a projection which extends around
substantially the entire periphery of the holding member.
[0010] As described hereinabove, the closed loop may be
substantially rigid and openable by a hinged portion thereof. In
this embodiment, the loop may be openable and closable via a
releasable catch or other releasable locking mechanism. For
example, the release means may comprise at least one projection to
which the user can apply pressure to release the catch, or may
comprise at least one button which may be pressed by the user to
release the catch or similar locking mechanism. In this embodiment,
the inner surface of the closed loop may comprise means for helping
to maintain a device in position within the loop. For example, the
inner surface of the closed loop may include a magnetic strip, a
Velcro (RTM) strip, or high friction material.
[0011] The holder may further comprise adjusting means for
adjusting the size of the closed loop, in order that the holder may
be used to hold a plurality of devices of differing sizes. The
adjustment means conveniently allows for adjustment of the closed
loop between a plurality of predetermined positions. For example,
in those embodiments in which the closed loop is formed from the
holding member and resilient material, the adjustment means may
comprise a plurality of stepwise projections on the holding member,
at least one end of the resilient material being positionable in a
plurality of positions which respectively correspond to positions
between adjacent projections. Preferably, both ends of the
resilient material are positionable in a plurality of positions
which respectively correspond to positions between adjacent
projections.
[0012] The carrying means may comprise a flexible or substantially
rigid member formed as a loop through which a strap, for example a
belt or bag strap, can be threaded to attach the carrying means to
the strap. Alternatively, the carrying means may comprise a
fastener for attaching the carrying means to a strap, for example a
spring-biased fastening, pop-fastening, or magnetically fastening
clip. Alternatively, the carrying means may comprise a strap, for
example for carrying the holder over a shoulder or by hand. When
the holder is carried on a belt, it is preferably mounted such that
the device is carried having its principle axis parallel with the
longitudinal axis of the belt.
[0013] The holder preferably comprises a facia panel in a plane
substantially parallel to the planar surface. The facia panel is
preferably releasably attachable to the holder. A facia panel
provides numerous advantages to the holder of the present invention
over prior art holders. The facia panel can protect the closed loop
from damage and help protect the device from ingress of dirt, water
and other materials, and can help protect the device from impact
and shock damage, which might result in accidental activation of
the device. The facia panel may also provide added security to the
user of the device by helping to prevent theft thereof. If the
force required to remove the facia panel is less than the force
required to remove the holder from the user, for example from the
belt of the user, then a potential thief attempting to steal the
holder and device will merely remove the facia panel, by which time
the user is alerted to the presence of the potential thief. A
releasably attachable facia panel also provides economic advantages
over prior art holders. Prior art holders are unpopular with some
users because they impair the aesthetic appearance of the device;
however, the facia panel can be coloured, patterned, designed, etc,
to match the shape, configuration, pattern, colour, or design of
the device. The facia panel may provide a surface for displaying
patterns, logos, marketing information, and the like. The facia
panel may be transparent to allow the device to be viewed when held
within the holder. A releasably attachable facia panel further
allows the user to replace one facia panel with another, to match
the appearance of a particular device being carried.
[0014] The facia panel may be releasably attachable to the planar
member by conventional means, for example a slidable or snap-fit,
as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, if
security is an important consideration to a user, as discussed
above, then a snap-fitting facia panel will be more appropriate
than a slide fitting facia panel.
[0015] The facia panel may be used to display or house features for
enhancing usability of the holder. For example, the facia panel may
include one or more lights, for example a light which reacts to a
signal being received by the device, vibrating means which responds
to a signal being received by the device, an LCD display, a
hologrammatic display, a heat sensitive material, or may be used to
house electronics. Alternatively, if said features are housed
within the holding member, then a releasably attachable facia panel
may provide access to the planar member, for example to service
electronics, replace batteries, etc.
[0016] The closed loop may have an at least partially cushioned
inner surface, to help prevent scratching of the device by the
holding member when slidably locating and removing the device from
the holder. For example, the cushioned inner surface may include a
cushioning polymeric material, or may include a material which is
mouldable under pressure, i.e. on location of a device within the
closed loop the material will mould to the shape of the surface of
the device.
[0017] The holding means may further comprise one or more straps of
resilient material which extend generally parallel to the
lengthwise axis of the device being held by the holder. These
straps act to further secure an device within the holder.
[0018] Preferably, said holder comprises a mobile phone holder.
[0019] The present invention will not be described by way of
example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows an oblique partially exploded view of a first
embodiment of a holder according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a holder
according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional partial side view of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows an oblique partial exploded perspective view of
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a front oblique view of a third embodiment of a
holder according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a rear oblique view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6 with the closed loop open.
[0027] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a holder 1
of the present invention comprises carrying means 2 and holding
means 4. The carrying means 2 comprises a belt clip 6, and the
holding means comprises a holding member 8 having a planar surface
and a closed loop 10 of resilient material. The closed loop 10
passes through the holding member 8. The belt clip 6 and closed
loop 10 are both attached to a back plate 13, the closed loop
including a cushioning material 15 on the inside thereof adjacent
the holding member 8 and the back plate 13. The back plate 13 may
be substantially rigid or semi-rigid, and may be made of any
suitable material, for example a plastics material or leather. The
holding member 8 further comprises integral release means in the
form of two opposing projections 14 (only one of which is shown in
FIG. 1) which are positioned in the plane of the planar surface of
the holding member 8 and in an axis normal to the ground in use. Of
course, the projections 14 may extend from any sides of the
periphery of the holding member 8, or the release means may
comprise a single projection which extends around substantially the
entire periphery of the holding member 8. The holder 1 further
comprises a facia panel 16 which is releasably attachable to the
planar member 8 by lugs 18.
[0029] In use, the holder 1 is attached to a belt using belt clip
6. When wearing the belt, the user then pulls on projections 14 to
stretch the closed loop 10 and thereby enable a device to be
inserted within the closed loop 10. The user then slowly releases
the projections 14 to allow the closed loop 10 to contract around
the device, which is thereby held within the closed loop 10 between
the holding member 8 and the back plate 13.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a second embodiment of a
holder 51 of the present invention is shown. The second embodiment
holder may comprise the same carrying means 2, back plate 13 and
cushioning material 15 as for the first embodiment, none of which
are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 or 5.
[0031] The holder 51 comprises a holding member 58 having a planar
surface and integral opposing projections 64 positioned in the
plane of the holding member 58. The closed loop is formed from
resilient material 60 and the holding member 58 together. The
resilient material 60 per se does not form a closed loop, but
rather is open, the open ends of the resilient material 60 each
themselves forming a loop 62. Within each loop 62 an adjustment rod
70 is inserted. The holding member 58 also comprises adjustment
means for adjusting the size of the closed loop. The adjustment
means comprises a plurality of stepwise projections 72, the rods 70
being positionable between adjacent projections 72. In this way,
the size of the closed loop can be adjusted, to accommodate devices
of different sizes. The holder 51 further comprises a front
moulding 74 which fits onto the holding member 58. A facia panel 66
sits on support members 76 formed in the front moulding 74.
Alternatively, the facia panel 66 and front moulding 74 may be
formed as a unitary piece.
[0032] The holder 51 of the second embodiment is used in
substantially the same was as the holder 1 of the first embodiment,
with the exception that with the holder 51 the user may adjust the
size of the closed loop according to the size of the device to be
held by the holder 51. Thus, the user chooses an appropriate size
for the closed loop by positioning rods 70 between appropriate
projections 72. Then, to insert a device within the holder 51, the
user pulls on projections 64 to stretch the closed loop and thereby
enable a device to be inserted within the closed loop. The user
then slowly releases the projections 64 to allow the closed loop to
contract around the device, which is thereby held within the closed
loop between the holding member 58 and the back plate (not shown in
FIGS. 3 to 5)
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a third embodiment of a
holder 101 of the present invention is shown. The third embodiment
holder 101 may comprise the same carrying means 2 as for the first
embodiment, which feature is not shown in FIGS. 6, 7 or 8.
[0034] By comparison with the first and second embodiments, the
holder 101 is substantially rigid. The closed loop is formed from a
holding member 108 comprising a planar surface 110 and an upper
section 116, together with a lower section 118 and back plate 113.
The lower section 118 and backplate 113 are held together by an
elasticated member 122 fitted therebetween. The elasticated member
122 allows for variation in the size of the closed loop, and
therefore allows the holder to accommodate devices of different
sizes. The holder 110 is openable by a hinge 120 between the
holding member 108 and the back plate 113. The holding member 108
comprises release means which comprise a push button 112,
positioned within the upper section 116 of the a holding member 108
in a plane substantially perpendicular to the planar surface 110.
The closed loop is formed and maintained by engagement between a
catch 124 on the underside of the push button 112 and a ratchet
surface 126 of an engaging member 114 which inwardly extends from
the back plate 113. When the closed loop is formed, the catch 124
can be released from the recess 126 by pushing the push button 112.
The holder 101 further comprises a facia panel 128 which fits
within the planar surface 110 of the holding member 108.
[0035] In use, when the push button 112 is pressed by the user, the
catch 124 pushes on the engaging member 114, which in turn pushes
on the backplate 113, thus stretching the elasticated member 122.
It is by virtue of this stretching of the elasticated member that
the catch 124 can be released from the ratchet surface 126, and the
holding member 108 can thereby be rotated about the hinge 120 to
open the closed loop. A device may thus be inserted into the holder
101, after which the holding member 108 can be re-rotated about the
hinge 120, and the catch 124 can re-engage with the ratchet surface
126 to thereby close the closed loop.
[0036] As referred to hereinabove, in the third embodiment the
inner surface of the closed loop, for example the inner surface of
the back plate 113, may comprise means for helping to maintain a
device in position within the loop. For example, the inner surface
of the closed loop may include a magnetic strip, a Velcro (RTM)
strip, or high friction material.
[0037] While the present invention has been specifically described
with reference to mobile phones, it will be appreciated that the
holder can be used for holding personal organisers and other
similar personal electronic equipment. The holder offers a solution
to holding such devices which is simple, cost effective to produce,
and can be applied in many situations. Moreover, the term strap
includes at least a belt or strap of an device which is carried by
a person in use.
* * * * *