U.S. patent application number 11/513471 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for wearable holder pad for a mobile computing device.
Invention is credited to Curt Croley, Eric M. Johnson, Chandra Nair.
Application Number | 20080052800 11/513471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149474 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080052800 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nair; Chandra ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
Wearable holder pad for a mobile computing device
Abstract
Described is a pad for interposition between a limb of a user
and an apparatus to be attached to the limb. The pad comprises a
first cushion element extending along a first portion of a first
side of the pad and a second cushion element extending along a
first portion of a second side of the pad. The first and second
cushion elements are separated from one another by a first reduced
thickness area which, when the pad is mounted in a desired
orientation, extends between the first and second cushion elements
substantially along a longitudinal axis of the limb so that, when
interposed between the limb and the apparatus attached thereto, the
pad bends along the longitudinal axis to maintain the first and
second cushion elements and the reduced thickness area in contact
with the limb.
Inventors: |
Nair; Chandra; (Mount Sinai,
NY) ; Johnson; Eric M.; (Brooklyn, NY) ;
Croley; Curt; (Stony Brook, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY KAPLUN & MARCIN, LLP
15O BROADWAY, SUITE 702
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
39149474 |
Appl. No.: |
11/513471 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2005/008 20130101;
A45F 2200/0516 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/22 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/06 20060101
A41D013/06 |
Claims
1. A pad for interposition between a limb of a user and an
apparatus to be attached to the limb, the pad comprising: a first
cushion element extending along a first portion of a first side of
the pad; and a second cushion element extending along a first
portion of a second side of the pad, the first and second cushion
elements being separated from one another by a first reduced
thickness area, wherein, when the pad is mounted in a desired
orientation, the first reduced thickness area extends between the
first and second cushion elements substantially along a
longitudinal axis of the limb, and wherein, when the pad is
interposed between the limb and the apparatus attached thereto, the
pad is bent along the longitudinal axis and the first and second
cushion elements are compressed so that the first and second
cushion elements and the reduced thickness area are in contact with
the limb.
2. The pad according to claim 1, further comprising: a third
cushion element extending along a second portion of the first side
of the pad; and a fourth cushion element extending along a second
portion of the second side of the pad, the third and fourth cushion
elements being separated from one another by a second reduced
thickness area which, when the pad is mounted in a desired
orientation, extends between the first and second cushion elements
substantially along a longitudinal axis of the limb.
3. The pad according to claim 2, wherein the first and second
reduced thickness areas extend together to form a combined reduced
thickness area extending substantially an entire length of the
pad.
4. The pad according to claim 2, further comprising a third reduced
thickness area which, when the pad is mounted in the desired
orientation, extends substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the limb and a fourth reduced thickness area
which, when the pad is mounted in the desired orientation, extends
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb,
the third reduced thickness area separating the first cushion
element from the third cushion element and the fourth reduced
thickness area separating the second cushion element from the
fourth cushion element.
5. The pad according to claim 4, wherein the third and fourth
reduced thickness areas extend together to form a combined reduced
thickness area extending substantially an entire width of the
pad.
6. The pad according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the first
reduced thickness area is substantially equal to a thickness of the
second reduced thickness area.
7. The pad according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the third
reduced thickness area is substantially equal to a thickness of the
fourth reduced thickness area.
8. The pad according to claim 2, wherein each of the first, second,
third and fourth cushion elements is situated in a corresponding
corner of the pad.
9. The pad according to claim 2, wherein each of the first, second,
third and fourth cushion elements extend out of a bottom side of
the pad.
10. The pad according to claim 2, wherein each of the first,
second, third and fourth cushion elements are substantially
compressed when the limb is thick, thereby eliminating gaps between
the pad and the limb.
11. The pad according to claim 2, wherein each of the first,
second, third and fourth cushion elements are slightly compressed
when the limb is thin, thereby eliminating gaps between the pad and
the limb.
12. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is one of
permanently and temporarily attached to the pad.
13. A pad for interposition between a limb of a user and an
apparatus to be attached to the limb, the pad comprising: a first
cushion element extending along a first corner of the pad; a second
cushion element extending along a second corner of the pad, a third
cushion element extending along a third corner of the pad; and a
fourth cushion element extending along a fourth corner of the pad,
wherein the pad has a substantially rectangular shape so that the
first cushion element and the fourth cushion element lie on a first
diagonal of the pad and the second cushion element and the third
cushion element lie on a second diagonal of the pad, and wherein,
when the pad is interposed between the limb and the apparatus
attached thereto, the pad is bent along a longitudinal axis of the
limb and the first, second, third and fourth cushion elements are
compressed.
14. The pad according to claim 13, wherein the first and second
cushion elements are separated by a first reduced thickness area
and the third and fourth cushion elements are separated by a second
reduced thickness area.
15. The pad according to claim 14, wherein the first and second
reduced thickness areas extend together to form a combined reduced
thickness area extending substantially an entire length of the
pad.
16. The pad according to claim 14, wherein a thickness of the first
reduced thickness area is substantially equal to a thickness of the
second reduced thickness area.
17. The pad according to claim 13, wherein the first and third
cushion elements are separated by a third reduced thickness area
and the second and fourth cushion elements are separated by a
fourth reduced thickness area.
18. The pad according to claim 17, wherein the third and fourth
reduced thickness areas extend together to form a combined reduced
thickness area extending substantially an entire width of the
pad.
19. The pad according to claim 17, wherein a thickness of the third
reduced thickness area is substantially equal to a thickness of the
fourth reduced thickness area.
20. A pad for interposition between a limb of a user and an
apparatus to be attached to the limb, the pad comprising: a first
side means having a first portion; a second side means having a
second portion, separating the first portion being separated from
the second portion by an area; and a cushioning means extending
along the first portion and the second portion, wherein, when the
pad is interposed between the limb and the apparatus attached
thereto, the pad is bent along a longitudinal axis of the limb and
the cushioning means places the first side, the second side, and
the area in contact with the limb.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Conventional mobile terminals are used in a variety of
environments. In certain situations, it is advantageous to have the
mobile terminals worn on an area of the body, particularly a limb.
Conventional technology allows mobile terminals to be worn using
straps, clips, etc. However, sometimes, this technology does not
allow a user to comfortably wear the mobile terminal. One cause is
the differences in shape and circumference of the limb of the user,
not only the differences between users, but also within a single
user.
[0002] Although conventional designs allow for a "one size fits
all" scheme, there is usually an optimal size for use of the
wearing mechanism. Deviations (e.g., too large or too small) from
that optimal size create gaps or spaces that do not allow the
mobile terminal to be held flush against the user's skin. FIGS.
1a-b show exemplary arms 10, 20 with a conventional wearing
mechanism 30. In FIG. 1a, the wearing mechanism 30 is not flush
against the surface of a thin arm 10. This results in outside gaps
40 forming. These outside gaps 40 allow the wearing mechanism 30
and any mechanism attached to it to rotate around or slide up and
down the thin arm 10. In FIG. 1b, the wearing mechanism 30 is also
not flush against the surface of a thick arm 20. This results in an
inside gap 50 forming. In this instance, the wearing mechanism 30
may not be prone to unwanted movement (e.g., rotating, sliding,
etc.), but it is uncomfortable for the user. In addition, those
skilled in the art will understand that an arm does not maintain a
constant radius as the arm extends from the wrist to the elbow. The
conventional wearing mechanism 30 may start with the thin arm 10
with outside gaps 40 but may end with the thick arm 20 with the
inside gap 50. This combination results in both unwanted movement
and discomfort. Thus, there is a need for a wearable holder pad
which complements a wearing mechanism for a mobile terminal and
which is compatible for all users of differing sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a pad for interposition
between a limb of a user and an apparatus to be attached to the
limb. The pad comprises a first cushion element extending along a
first portion of a first side of the pad and a second cushion
element extending along a first portion of a second side of the
pad. The first and second cushion elements are separated from one
another by a first reduced thickness area which, when the pad is
mounted in a desired orientation, extends between the first and
second cushion elements substantially along a longitudinal axis of
the limb so that, when interposed between the limb and the
apparatus attached thereto, the pad bends along the longitudinal
axis to maintain the first and second cushion elements and the
reduced thickness area in contact with the limb.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIGS. 1a-b shows exemplary arms using a conventional wearing
mechanism;
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a top side of a wearable
holder pad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a bottom side of the
wearable holder pad according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0007] FIGS. 4a-d shows component layers of the wearable holder pad
shown in FIGS. 2-3;
[0008] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the wearable holder
pad shown in FIGS. 2-3;
[0009] FIGS. 6a-b shows exemplary arms using the wearable holder
pad shown in FIGS. 2-3;
[0010] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary use of the wearable holder pad
shown in FIGS. 2-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present invention may be further understood with
reference to the following description and the appended drawings,
wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference
numerals. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention
describes a wearable holder pad (hereinafter "wearable pad") with
extensions (hereinafter "wings") and thick areas (hereinafter
"thickeners") that complements a wearing mechanism for use with
mobile terminals. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
wearable pad is interposed between a surface (e.g., a limb) and the
wearing mechanism (e.g., apparatus to be attached to the limb). The
wearable pad, wings, and thickeners will be discussed in detail
below.
[0012] It should be noted that the following description will
describe the use of the invention with respect to an arm, and, in
particular, in the area around the user's wrist. However, those
skilled in the art will understand that the use of a wrist is only
exemplary and that the present invention may be applied to any
surface, whether rounded or not. In addition, a desired orientation
of the present invention is on an arm along the length of the arm
(i.e., longitudinal axis) instead of circumnavigating the width of
it.
[0013] FIGS. 2-3 show a perspective view of a top side and a bottom
side, respectively, of a wearable pad with wings and thickeners
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Components of the wearable pad 100, shown in FIG. 2, may include
stiffeners 102, a main pad 101, a loop material 104, wings 105, and
an edge banding 107. Components of the wearable pad 100, shown in
FIG. 3, may include the main pad 101, the wings 105, thickeners
106, and the edge banding 107.
[0014] The main pad 101 is a base layer that the other components
of the wearable pad 100 may be attached to. In the exemplary
embodiments, the main pad 101 exhibits a bow-tie shape. The main
pad 101 may be manufactured using a breathable material such as
mesh, gauze, perforated polymer, etc. In the exemplary embodiment,
the top side of the main pad 101 exhibits a ventilation that is
greater than the ventilation allowed by the bottom side of the main
pad 101. Those skilled in the art will understand that a higher
ventilation may be accomplished using similar materials by using a
loosely weaved mesh or gauze or using a perforated polymer with
wider and/or more pores. In the exemplary embodiment, the main pad
101 may also be manufactured using a material that allows for the
other components to be attached easily using conventional
attachment methods (e.g., sewing, adhesives, etc.). Furthermore,
the main pad 101 of the exemplary embodiment may be manufactured
using a flexible material that is adjustable to be worn on any
surface, in particular, a wrist. The flexible material of the main
pad 101 allows the wearable pad 100 to conform to the shape of the
wrist and the wearing mechanism when interposed in between them. It
should be noted that the bow-tie shape of the main pad 101 is only
exemplary and that other shapes (e.g., an ellipse, a rectangle,
etc.) may be used depending on further applications of the wearable
pad 100. It should also be noted that the use of a breathable
material to manufacture the main pad 101 is only exemplary and that
a non-breathable material or stiffer material such as plastics may
be used depending on further applications of the wearable pad
100.
[0015] The stiffeners 102 are used to provide a semi-rigid
component for the wearable pad 100. The stiffeners 102 are
semi-rigid because they allow some bending for the wearable pad 100
to adjust its shape to the surface it is used on. The semi-rigid
properties of the stiffeners 102 also allow the wearable pad 100 to
substantially hold the shape of the wrist and the wearing mechanism
when the wearable pad 100 is interposed between them. The
stiffeners 102 are disposed substantially perpendicular to the long
side of the wearable pad 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the
stiffeners 102 may be manufactured of a flexible rubber. It should
be noted that the use of rubber is only exemplary and that other
materials may be used to manufacture the stiffeners 102, such as
flexible plastics. Those skilled in the art will understand that
the use of stiffeners 102 is only exemplary and that the wearable
pad 100 may be manufactured without any stiffeners.
[0016] The loop material 104 is used for the further applications
of the wearable pad 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the loop
material 104 is manufactured using the loop side of a hook and loop
fastener. The loop material 104 is on top of the main pad 101 of
the wearable pad 100 to allow for sufficient grasping of any
mechanism (e.g., wearing mechanism) that may attach to it. Thus,
depending on the mass and/or size of the mechanism, the loop
material 104 is constructed and placed accordingly. It should be
noted that the use of the loop material 104 is only exemplary and
that other methods for attaching a mechanism to the wearable pad
100 exist such as buttons, snaps, locks, etc.
[0017] The wings 105 and the thickeners 106 provide the ability to
conform better (conformability) for the wearable pad 100 to be
placed flush against any surface (i.e., no gaps between the
wearable pad 100 and the surface of the limb). The wings 105 are
inherent when the shape of the wearable pad 100 exhibits a bow-tie
shape (located on the corners of the main pad 101). The wings 105
include the thickeners 106. Thus, four wings 105 and four
thickeners 106 exist. In the exemplary embodiment, the thickeners
106 extend across the length of the wings 105 and create a local
protrusion from the bottom side of the wearable pad 100. The
thickeners 106 may be manufactured using a compressible material.
The compressible material may be, for example, spacer fabric. In
the exemplary embodiment, the compressible material is designed to
be easily compressed but still maintain its original shape if not
subject to a pressure, therefore, functioning similarly to a
cushion. In the exemplary embodiments, the thickeners 106 are
disposed within the wings 105 (i.e., between the main pad 101 and
the breathable material 103). It should be noted that the
thickeners 106 disposed within the wings 105 is only exemplary and
the thickeners 106 may be placed directly on the bottom side of the
wings 105 of the main pad 101, on the top side of the wings 105 of
the breathable material 103, etc. By being placed within the wings
105 of the wearable pad 100, a reduced thickness area exists
between all the thickeners 106 (i.e., between two thickeners on one
short side and between two thickeners on one long side). Those
skilled in the art will understand that the reduced thickness areas
will extend across the middle of the length and width of the
wearable pad 100. Those skilled in the art will also understand
that the thickness of the reduced thickness areas will be
substantially equal. However, it should be noted that the thickness
may be unequal depending on the further applications (e.g.,
attaching the wearing mechanism) for the wearable pad 100.
[0018] In the exemplary embodiment, the edge banding 107 surrounds
the border of the wearable pad 100. Thus, the edge banding 107 may
be used to hold the components of the wearable pad 100. The edge
banding 107 may be manufactured of various materials that are
bendable such as materials used for the main pad 101 or the
breathable material 103, polymers, plastics, etc. It should be
noted that the use of the edge banding 107 is only exemplary and
the wearable pad 100 may be manufactured without the edge banding
107. If the wearable pad is designed without the edge banding 107,
then the components may be held together using the above described
conventional attachment methods.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment, the wearable pad 100 may
exhibit a total length of 165 mm. The wearable pad 100 may exhibit
a total width of 85 mm. With these dimensions, the length between
the two stiffeners should be, at a minimum, 120 mm. It should be
noted that these dimensions are exemplary only and that the
wearable pad 100 may be designed with a specific mobile computing
device that attaches to it.
[0020] FIGS. 4a-d show component layers of the wearable pad shown
in FIGS. 2-3. The layers of the wearable pad 100 will be described
from the top side (e.g., FIG. 2) to the bottom side (e.g., FIG. 3).
The wearable pad 100 consists of four layers. FIG. 4a illustrates
the first layer 401 which may include the stiffeners 102. FIG. 4b
illustrates the second layer 402 which may include the loop
material 104. The second layer 402 illustrates a hole in the middle
where the top side of the main pad 101 would exist upon assembly.
FIG. 4c illustrates the third layer 403 which may include the
thickeners 106. FIG. 4d illustrates the fourth layer 404 which may
include the main pad 101. The first layer 401 is placed on top of
the second layer 402 which is placed on top of the third layer 403
which is placed on top of the fourth layer 404.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the wearable pad
shown in FIGS. 2-3. The cross sectional view 500 is taken across
two wings 105 on the shorter side of the wearable pad 100 and in
between the hole of the loop material 104 and the stiffener 102. In
the cross sectional view 500, the loop material 104 of the second
layer 402 and the main pad 101 of the fourth layer 404 are in
contact towards the middle of the wearable pad 100. Towards the
ends of the wearable pad 100, the thickeners 106 of the third layer
403 are disposed in between the second layer 402 and the fourth
layer 404. In addition, the edge banding 107 are placed at the ends
of the cross sectional 401 that holds all the components together
at those ends. The inclusion of the thickeners 106 creates the
protrusions on the main pad 101. It should again be noted that the
cross sectional view 500 is only exemplary and that other designs
may exist. For example, the thickeners 106 may extend across the
short length of the wearable pad 100 with a thicker region towards
the ends (i.e., within the wings 105).
[0022] FIGS. 6a-b shows exemplary arms wearing the wearable holder
pad shown in FIGS. 2-3. FIGS. 6a-b illustrate a contrast between
the same arms of FIGS. 1a-b wearing the wearable holder pad 100 of
the present invention. FIGS. 6a-b show the wearable pad 100
attached to the user's wrist. FIGS. 6a-b illustrate a cross section
of the arm and the thickeners 106 in use to adjust to the
differences in arm girth. Those skilled in the art will understand
that the wearable pad 100 is positioned to be bending along the
longitudinal axis of the user's wrist (not shown) along the longer
side of the wearable pad 100. FIG. 6a shows the thin arm 10 wearing
the wearable pad 100. The wearable pad 100 is flush against the
surface of the skin on the thin arm 10. The use of the thickeners
106 (that are uncompressed) allows the gaps 40 that would normally
exist to be filled in. The wearable pad 100 being flush against the
surface of the thin arm 10 also prevents any unwanted movement. The
wearable pad 100 is also flush against the surface of the skin on
thick arm 20. The use of the thickeners 106 (that are compressed)
allows the gap 50 that would normally exist to be filled in. Again,
the wearable pad 100 being flush against the surface of the thick
arm 20 prevents any unwanted movement and is still comfortable.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the wearable pad 100
remains flush against the surface extending along the length of the
arm (e.g., increasing radius of arm width), because the wearable
pad 100 may adjust to an arm width using the thickeners 106.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary use of the wearable pad shown in
FIGS. 2-3. The exemplary use 700 shows a holder 108 that is placed
on top of the wearable pad 100. The holder 108 is attached to the
wearable pad 100 using the loop material 104. Those skilled in the
art will understand that the holder 108 would use the complementary
hook side of the hook and loop fastener. The holder 108 may further
be used to attach, for example, a mobile computing device.
[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications may be made in the present invention, without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention cover the modifications and
variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of
the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *