U.S. patent application number 10/961955 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-13 for portable entertainment device.
Invention is credited to Samir Bhakta.
Application Number | 20060076375 10/961955 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36144253 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060076375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bhakta; Samir |
April 13, 2006 |
Portable entertainment device
Abstract
A portable entertainment device is disclosed. The entertainment
device comprises a front side, a back side, a top side having a
display adapted to display a plurality of indicia, and a securing
mechanism operatively connected to the entertainment device so that
the display is visible to the user when in use.
Inventors: |
Bhakta; Samir; (O'Fallon,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Caroline G. Chicoine;Thompson Coburn LLP
One US Bank Plaza
St. Louis
MO
63101
US
|
Family ID: |
36144253 |
Appl. No.: |
10/961955 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/222 ;
224/267; 224/930 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0525 20130101;
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2200/0508 20130101; A45F 2005/008
20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/222 ;
224/267; 224/930 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A portable entertainment device, comprising: a front side; a
back side; a top side having a display, the display being adapted
to display a plurality of indicia; and a securing mechanism
operatively connected to the entertainment device and adapted to
secure the entertainment device to a user such that the display is
visible to a user when the device is secured to the user.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing
mechanism comprises a band defining an axis, the axis being
generally parallel to the back side of the entertainment device,
the securing mechanism being adapted to secure the entertainment
device to an upper arm portion of the user such that the back side
of the entertainment device is positioned adjacent the upper arm
portion of the user and the indicia displayed on the display is
visible from a direction that is generally parallel to the axis of
the band.
3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the band comprises
expandable material movable between a relaxed state and a stretched
state.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the upper arm portion of the user
has an upper arm diameter, and wherein the relaxed diameter of the
band is less than the upper arm diameter and the stretched diameter
is greater than the upper arm diameter.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing
mechanism comprises a clip.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
indicia comprises at least one of a radio frequency, a radio
station name, a song name, a performer's name, a track number, a
time of day, and a date.
7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entertainment
device comprises a radio.
8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entertainment
device comprises a compact disc player.
9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entertainment
device comprises an MP3 player.
10. A method comprising: providing a portable entertainment device
as set forth in claim 1; and positioning the entertainment device
on an upper arm portion of a user.
11. A method, comprising: providing a portable entertainment device
as set forth in claim 1; and securing the entertainment device to
the user.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally is directed to a portable
entertainment device, and in particular, to such a device with a
display which is visible to a user when the device is in use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In today's technological world, smaller is better. This is
especially true with respect to portable entertainment devices like
MP3 players where size and weight play a major role in a consumer's
decision to purchase a particular device. These devices usually
have a display on the front which displays a variety of indicia
related to the type of device, such as radio frequency, track
number, etc. They also often include a mechanism which allows the
device to be secured to a person so he or she does not have to
carry the device in his or her hands. This is especially helpful
during activities such as exercising. Typically, the securing
mechanism is either a clip that affixes to a person's belt or
clothing, or an armband that allows a person to wear the device on
his or her upper arm. However, when secured in such a manner, the
display of the device is no longer visible to the user. In order to
see the display, the user must either remove the device from his or
her person or reposition it such that the display can be seen. This
is not only impractical, but the additional handling of the device
adds to its wear and tear. Accordingly, there is a need for a
portable entertainment device that overcomes these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A portable entertainment device is disclosed. The device has
a front side, a back side, a top side having a display, the display
being adapted to display a plurality of indicia, and a securing
mechanism operatively connected to the entertainment device and
adapted to secure the entertainment device to a user such that the
display is visible to a user when the device is secured thereto.
The securing mechanism may comprise a band defining an axis, the
axis being generally parallel to the back side of the entertainment
device, the securing mechanism being adapted to secure the
entertainment device to an upper arm portion of the user such that
the back side of the entertainment device is positioned adjacent
the upper arm portion of the user and the indicia displayed on the
display is visible from a direction that is generally parallel to
the axis of the band. The band may comprise expandable material
movable between a relaxed state and a stretched state, wherein the
relaxed diameter of the band is less than the diameter of a user's
upper arm and the stretched diameter is greater than the diameter
of a user's upper arm. The securing mechanism may also or
alternatively comprise a clip. The plurality of indicia may
comprise at least one of a radio frequency, a radio station name, a
song name, a performer's name, an album name, a track number, a
time of day, and a date. The entertainment device may comprise any
device capable of providing audio and/or visual entertainment to a
user, including without limitation a radio, a compact disc player,
or an MP3 player.
[0004] A method is also disclosed. The method may comprise
providing a portable entertainment device as set forth above, and
positioning the entertainment device on an upper arm portion of a
user. The method may also comprise providing a portable
entertainment device, and securing the entertainment device to the
user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a device in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention, in use;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the device of FIG. 1; and
[0009] FIG. 5 is a back plan view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0010] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, a portable entertainment device in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 20. In
the embodiment shown, the entertainment device is an AM/FM radio,
although any suitable portable entertainment device capable of
providing audio and/or visual entertainment could be used,
including without limitation a CD player or MP3 player.
[0012] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the entertainment device 20
includes a back side 22 and a top side 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the
top side 24 includes a display 26 for displaying a variety of
indicia related to the type of device. In the case of the device
20, such indicia may include a radio station's name and/or
frequency, a song name, a performer's name, an album name, a track
number, a time of day and/or a date.
[0013] A securing mechanism is operatively connected to the
entertainment device 20 for securing the entertainment device to a
user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the securing mechanism
comprises a band 30 of expandable material that is moveable between
a relaxed state and a stretched state. The band 30 is connected to
the entertainment device 20 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. In
particular, the band forms a loop 32 having an axis 34 which is
generally parallel to the back side 22 of the entertainment device
20. The user can then place the band around his or her upper arm as
shown in FIG. 1. The securing mechanism, however, may be any
mechanism capable of securing the device to a person, such as a
clip 36 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 that allows the entertainment
device 20 to be secured to the user such that the display is
visible while in use. In the case of the entertainment device 20
shown in the figures, it may also includes an AM/FM switch 40 (FIG.
4), an On/Off switch 42, a frequency selector 44 (FIG. 5) and a
headphone jack 46 (FIG. 3).
[0014] In use, the entertainment device 20 is secured to an upper
arm portion of a user, as shown in FIG. 1, by stretching the band
30 of expandable material from the relaxed state to a stretched
state thereby allowing the band to be placed around the user's
upper arm. With such a configuration, the display 26 is visible to
the user from a direction 50 as shown in FIG. 3 when the device is
in use.
[0015] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, while the
entertainment device is shown as a radio and the indicia displayed
on the display corresponds to the radio frequency to which the
device is tuned, it is to be understood that other types of
entertainment devices may be used and other types of indicia may be
displayed without departing from this invention. Thus, the breadth
and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of
the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined
only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
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