U.S. patent application number 10/993523 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for belt or strap mount for cellular telephone or portable electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to A.G. Findings & Mfg. Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Harold S. Goradesky.
Application Number | 20060113340 10/993523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36566443 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060113340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goradesky; Harold S. |
June 1, 2006 |
Belt or strap mount for cellular telephone or portable electronic
device
Abstract
The clip-on mount attaches to a strap or belt and includes a
hinged first and second clam shell or plate member. Interfacing
material on interior surfaces embrace and capture the belt or
strap. A plate latch closure locks on the belt/strap. A common cell
phone attachment (which may also be on a personal electronic
device) is on the exterior. The cell phone or personal electronic
device is attached to the attachment. The method includes
capturing, by compressive force, the strap or belt between two
opposing plates, attaching and detaching the plates together and
attaching the cell phone or device to one plate.
Inventors: |
Goradesky; Harold S.; (Fort
Lauderdale, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT C. KAIN, JR.
750 SOUTHEAST THIRD AVENUE
SUITE 100
FT LAUDERDALE
FL
333161153
US
|
Assignee: |
A.G. Findings & Mfg. Co.,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36566443 |
Appl. No.: |
10/993523 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 ;
224/930 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F
2003/001 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
2200/0516 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/269 ;
224/930 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/00 20060101
A45F003/00 |
Claims
1. A clip-on mount for cellular telephone attachment to a strap or
a belt comprising: a cellular telephone attachment; a hinged first
and second clam shell member having compressible material on
opposing interior sides of said clam shell members, said cellular
telephone attachment mounted to one of said clam shell members; and
a latch to close said clam shell members together while said strap
or belt is interposed between said clam shell members.
2. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latch for
said clam shell members is disposed opposite said hinge of said
clam shell members.
3. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compressible
material is compressible foam.
4. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.
5. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one
interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other
of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding
valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.
6. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 2 wherein said compressible
material is compressible foam.
7. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 6 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.
8. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 6 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one
interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other
of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding
valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.
9. A clip-on mount for cellular telephone attachment to a strap or
a belt comprising: a cellular telephone attachment; a first member
rotatably coupled to a second member, said first and second members
having interior and exterior surfaces, said first and second
members having interfacing material on opposing interior surfaces,
said interfacing material coacting with said strap or belt adapted
to pass therebetween, said cellular telephone attachment mounted to
one of said exterior surfaces of one of said first or second
members; and a closure system to close said first and second
members together.
10. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and
second members mate together about said strap or belt.
11. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein said interfacing
material is compressible.
12. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein said interfacing
material is compressible foam.
13. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein corresponding
interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said
first and second members are flat.
14. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein corresponding
interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said
first and second members have complementary shaped surfaces.
15. A method of mounting a cellular telephone attachment to a strap
or belt comprising: proving two opposing plates hinged together;
capturing, by compressive force, said strap or belt between said
two opposing plates; attaching and detaching said plates together
and opening and closing said plates by hinged movement about said
strap or belt; and attaching said cellular telephone to at least
one of said plates.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 including latching said plates
together and locking said plated about said strap or belt.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 including capturing said strap
or belt with a tortuous path.
18. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of capturing
includes resiliently capturing said strap or belt between said
plates.
19. A clip-on mount permitting a portable personal electronic
device to be removably attachable to a strap or a belt via a two
piece cellular telephone attachment, said two piece cellular
telephone attachment having a first and a second complementary
attachment mechanism, said first complementary attachment mounted
on said personal electronic device, said clip-on mount comprising:
a hinged first and second clam shell member having compressible
material on opposing interior sides of said clam shell members,
said second complementary attachment mounted to one of said clam
shell members; and a latch to close said clam shell members
together while said strap or belt is interposed between said clam
shell members.
20. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein said latch for
said clam shell members is disposed opposite said hinge of said
clam shell members.
21. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein said
compressible material is compressible foam.
22. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.
23. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one
interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other
of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding
valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.
24. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
compressible material is compressible foam.
25. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 24 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.
26. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 24 wherein corresponding
compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam
shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one
interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other
of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding
valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.
27. A clip-on mount permitting a portable personal electronic
device to be removably attachable to a strap or a belt via a two
piece cellular telephone attachment, said two piece cellular
telephone attachment having a first and a second complementary
attachment mechanism, said first complementary attachment mounted
on said personal electronic device, said clip-on mount comprising:
a first member rotatably coupled to a second member, said first and
second members having interior and exterior surfaces, said first
and second members having interfacing material on opposing interior
surfaces, said interfacing material coacting with said strap or
belt adapted to pass therebetween, said second complementary
attachment mounted to one of said exterior surfaces of one of said
first or second members; and a closure system to close said first
and second members together.
28. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein said first and
second members mate together about said strap or belt.
29. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein said interfacing
material is compressible.
30. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein said interfacing
material is compressible foam.
31. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein corresponding
interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said
first and second members are flat.
32. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein corresponding
interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said
first and second members have complementary shaped surfaces.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting system for a
cellular telephone wherein the telephone is mounted via a common
cell phone attachment to a clip-on unit removably attachable to a
strap or a belt. Further the system permits portable personal
electronic devices to be similarly mounted on a strap or belt.
Portable personal electronic devices include MP3 players, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and audio players with
flash memories such as iPODs. A method of mounting is also
provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many individuals carry cellular telephones on or about their
person. If the phone is located in the person's pocket or purse,
often times it is difficult to hear the cell phone ringing. It
would be beneficial if a convenient system for mounting the cell
phone on a belt or a strap, such as a purse strap or backpack
strap, could be designed. This type of belt or strap mount would
enable the person to better hear the ringing of the phone.
[0003] Cell phone attachment systems are widely available. Pouches
or "button" clip-on attachment systems are well known. Several cell
phone attachment systems are: U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,576 to Godshaw;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,340 to Chung; U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,184 to Hauck;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,418 to Halleck; U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,348 to
Wang; U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,695 to Wallace; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,954
to Dong-Joo; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,664, 292 to Chen.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
clip-on mount for a cellular telephone attachment for a strap or a
belt.
[0005] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a clip-on mount for the strap or belt utilizing two plates
or clam shells which capture the belt or strap in between the
hinged plates or clam shell members.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
strap or belt mount which can be used in conjunction with a variety
of cell phone attachment systems, the cell phone being further
attached to the strap or belt mount by the prior art cell phone
attachment system.
[0007] It is an additional object of the present invention to
removably mount portable personal electronic devices to be mounted
on a strap or belt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The clip-on mount for a cellular telephone attachment
operates in conjunction with a strap or a belt and includes a prior
art cell phone attachment, a hinged first and second clam shell
member or plate member. These members are hinged together and
include interfacing material on the members' interior surfaces that
embrace and capture the belt or strap running therethrough. A latch
or closure system is provided for the clam shell members or the
first and second members such that the mount is relatively
removably securely attached to the strap or belt. The common cell
phone attachment is mounted on one of the members. The phone is
attached to the attachment. The method includes capturing, by
compressive force, the strap or belt between two opposing plates,
attaching and detaching the plates together and attaching the cell
phone to at least one of the plates. The system also permits
portable personal electronic devices to be similarly mounted on a
strap or belt.
[0009] The clip-on mount can also attach a portable personal
electronic device, such as an MP3 player, personal digital
assistant (PDA), digital camera, and audio player with flash
memories such as iPOD to be similarly mounted on a strap or belt.
These personal portable electronic devices include a common clip
attachment which clip attachment mates with a complimentary
attachment on the body of the clip-on mount discussed in detail
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further objects and advantages of the present invention can
be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the clip-on mount
attached to a strap or a belt and one of several different types of
cell phone attachment mechanisms on the clip-on mount;
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrate the clip-on mount
for the strap or belt in an open position (the members being open)
and in a partially closed position, respectively;
[0013] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates one type of latch or
clasp or closure system for the plate or shell members;
[0014] FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a different type of
closure system and a different type of cellular telephone
attachment (the cell phone antenna being visible in FIG. 5);
[0015] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 diagrammatically illustrate the interfacing
surfaces for another embodiment of the clip-on mount for the strap
or belt, a partial, cross-sectional view of the interior surface
and compressive material on that interfacing surface and the
clip-on mount in a closed position, respectively;
[0016] FIGS. 9 and 10 diagrammatically illustrate another
embodiment of the clip-on mount and a cross-section of one
interfacing surface of the mount, respectively; and
[0017] FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrate the interchangeability
of the system to mount cell phone or other portable personal
electronic devices on a strap or belt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention relates to a clip-on mount for a
cellular telephone attachment wherein the clip-on mount removably
attaches to a strap or a belt. The present invention also relates
to a method of mounting a common cellular telephone attachment to a
strap or belt.
[0019] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates clip-on mount 10
removably attached to belt or strap 11. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are
discussed currently herein. Similar numerals designate similar
items throughout the drawings.
[0020] FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates clip-on mount 10 in an
open position with first member 12 open with respect to second
member 14. The clip-on mount shown in FIGS. 2-3 shows clam shell
members 12, 14.
[0021] All the clip-on mounts 10 in FIGS. 2-10 include a cell phone
attachment, one of which is shown as cell phone attachment 16 in
FIG. 1. Cell phone attachment 16 includes a generally U-shaped
channel and a button release on end 18 of member 12. Member 14 is
closed and captures, in conjunction with member 12, strap or belt
11. Other cell phone attachment mechanisms can be mounted or formed
on surface 20 of member 12. Cell phone 22 is mounted on cell phone
attachment system 16 as shown by arrow 24. Examples of other cell
phone attachments are listed above in the Background of the
Invention.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, members 12, 14 are hinged together via
hinge 30 along side 32. Button 19 is utilized as part of the common
cellular telephone attachment 16 to release cell phone 22 from the
cell phone attachment 16. Other types of release mechanisms, as is
known in conjunction with other cellular telephone attachment
systems, can be incorporated, attached, mounted or formed on member
12. Members 12, 14 have complementary interfacing shapes and
inter-fitting edge regions 40, 42 and 44, 46. A latch, clasp or
closure system 50 is incorporated on complementary portions of
members 12, 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a clasp 50 is
utilized. Clasp 50 is on the opposite edge from hinge side 32.
[0023] The interior surface of members 12, 14 include, in a
preferred embodiment, a compressible material 52, 54. Compressible
material and hinge 30 permit the members 12, 14 to securely capture
and stay secured to belt or strap 11. Compressible foam or other
compressible material 52, 54 is compressible for two primary
reasons. First, the thickness of the belt or strap can vary. The
compressible material generally molds around the belt or strap.
Further, the utilization of compressible material 52, 54 enables a
very tight grip on the belt or strap and provides a spring fit of
member 12 and member 14 about belt or strap 11. In a preferred
embodiment, the compressible material is compressible foam.
[0024] Although the shape and thickness of members 12, 14 can be
varied, essentially members 12, 14 define two opposing plates which
are hinged together. In operation, the clip-on mount 10 is opened
as shown in FIG. 12 due to the release of the latch, clasp or other
closure system 50. When open, the belt or strap 11 is passed
through the open plates 12, 14 and then the plates are closed and
the belt or strap is captured by compressive force between opposing
plates 12, 14. Closure system 50 locks the plates together. The
cell phone 22 is then attached by the common cellular telephone
attachment 16 (or other common cellular telephone attachments, some
of which are identified in the Background of the Invention) to the
clip-on mount 10.
[0025] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a latch or a clasp
forming closure system 50. Latch 60 includes an operator tab or
interface 62, a lip 64 which coacts with a ledge 66. Ledge 66 is
formed on side 68 of member 14. Operator interface 62 and lip 64
are formed on side 60 of member 12. Other closure systems may be
utilized in conjunction with the present invention. Latches,
clasps, a small strap extending about members 12, 14, a button
system or a snap system or a VELCRO or cloth hook and loop system
may operate to secure members 12, 14 and capture belt or strap 11
between internal compressible surfaces 52, 54. Compressive closures
other than VELCRO work best.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a cellular telephone attachment system and a
clip-on mount 10. Clip-on mount 10 includes a closure system
including an extending tab 112 which coacts with a channel, cut-out
or latch aperture in protruding member 114. Compressible surface 52
is mounted on member 12. Extending tab 114 is formed on member 14.
Member 14 also includes interfacing compressible material 54.
[0027] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 diagrammatically illustrate another
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,
interfacing surface material 52 includes a raised land 130. Also,
the interfacing material 52 is mounted on member 12. Member 12 may
also have a raised land 131. With respect to plate 14, the
interfacing material, preferably compressible foam, is divided into
interface material segments 54a and 54b. Compressible foam segments
54a-54b are spaced apart and form a valley 129 that generally
conforms and complements opposing land 130. In addition,
compressible material 52 defines valleys 132, 134 on either side of
raised land 130. Just as raised land 130 fits into complementary
valley 129, compressible foam portions 54a, 54b complement valleys
132, 134. When a belt or strap (11 in FIG. 1) passes through and is
captured by members 12, 14, a tortuous pathway is provided based
upon the raised land 130 and valley 129 and the raised interfacing
materials 54a, 54b disposed in complementary valleys 132, 134.
[0028] FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates that clip-on mount 10
can be attached to any available cellular telephone attachment
because extending platform 210 and 212 (FIG. 6) may include
mounting holes, one of which is mounting hole 220, to attach the
clip-on mount 10 to the common cellular telephone attachment.
[0029] FIGS. 9 and 10 diagrammatically illustrate another
embodiment wherein interface material 130a is mounted on interior
surface 12a of member 12. Particularly, interface material 130a is
mounted between upwardly protruding lips 13, 15 extending above
interior surface 12a of member 12. Valleys 132, 134 are formed
immediately above surface 12a and coact with interface material
54a, 54b mounted to opposing interior surface 14a of member 14.
[0030] FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrate the interchangeability
of the system to mount cell phone or other portable personal
electronic devices on a strap or belt. As used herein, the term
"portable personal electronic device" includes any small,
moderately light, electronic portable device carried by a person
such as an MP3 player, personal digital assistant (PDA, Blackberry,
etc.), digital camera, and other audio players with computer chip
memories such as iPODs. the portable electronic device 310 has,
attached thereto, a common cell phone attachment 314 with a button
312 or other complimentary mechanism that cooperates with cell
phone attachment 16. The user can select to attach cell phone 22 or
personal electronic device 310 to the strap or belt 11 via clip-on
mount 10. This is shown by arrows 24 and 316.
[0031] The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications
and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
For example, although a hinge 30 is shown as a pin in a pair of
cylinders, the hinge may be any flexible material that permits
member 12 to rotate with respect to member 14 to enable strap or
belt 11 to be captured between interfacing material 52, 54. An
expansive hinge permitting lateral movement of the plates away from
each other may be useful. Further, although a single raised land is
shown extending above interior surface 12a of member 12, multiple
raised lands can be provided and used in conjunction with multiple
complementary valleys in opposing member 14.
* * * * *