U.S. patent application number 12/076034 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for devices for carrying personal apparatus on a limb.
This patent application is currently assigned to Addonit Limited. Invention is credited to Jonathan Lam, William John Charles Rossell.
Application Number | 20080223889 12/076034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38008579 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080223889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rossell; William John Charles ;
et al. |
September 18, 2008 |
Devices for carrying personal apparatus on a limb
Abstract
A system for carrying apparatus for personal use for example
portable sound reproduction apparatus, on a limb is disclosed. The
system includes a bracelet adapted to fit around a limb of the
user, a casing including a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive
the apparatus itself therein, and a cable or lead storage unit
including a necked configuration around which one or more cables or
leads may be wound for temporary storage. The casing and cable or
lead storage unit can each be attached to the bracelet or attached
directly to one another. The bracelet may be of slap bracelet
construction.
Inventors: |
Rossell; William John Charles;
(London, GB) ; Lam; Jonathan; (Kowloon,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BREINER & BREINER, L.L.C.
P.O. BOX 320160
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-0160
US
|
Assignee: |
Addonit Limited
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
38008579 |
Appl. No.: |
12/076034 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F
5/02 20130101; A44C 5/0007 20130101; A44C 5/0069 20130101; A45F
2200/0508 20130101; A45F 2005/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/222 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2007 |
GB |
0705109.7 |
Claims
1. A system for carrying apparatus for personal use, which system
comprises a bracelet adapted to fit around a limb of a user, a
casing including a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive the
apparatus itself therein, and a cable or lead storage unit
including a necked configuration around which one or more cables or
leads may be wound for temporary storage, the casing and the cable
or lead storage unit each being attachable to the bracelet and
being directly attachable to one another.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet is
configured as a slap bracelet.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein ends of the bracelet
include slots or other configurations enabling the ends of the
bracelet to be secured together so as to render the bracelet more
positively attached around a limb of the wearer.
4. The system according to claim 3, further including an additional
elasticated elongate strip which is attachable between the ends of
the bracelet.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet is
composed of a rubbery plastics material.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the casing is a
resilient relatively tight-fitting casing constructed and arranged
to receive the apparatus and is composed of a material which is
sufficiently elastic to enable easy insertion of the apparatus
while holding the apparatus firmly once inserted.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the casing is molded
from silicon rubber.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable or lead
storage unit has, to either side of the necked configuration, means
for attaching the storage unit to the casing and to the
bracelet.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable or lead
storage unit is configured to provide at least one receptacle for
receipt of at least one earpiece.
10. A slap bracelet comprising an outer face which, when the
bracelet is in coiled position, has formed thereon a resilient
flexible casing shaped and dimensioned to receive apparatus for
personal use and to hold the apparatus in place relative to the
bracelet itself.
11. A system according to claim 2, wherein ends of the bracelet
include slots or other configurations enabling the ends of the
bracelet to be secured together so as to render the bracelet more
positively attached around a limb of the wearer.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for carrying
apparatus for personal use, for example portable sound reproduction
apparatus, on a limb--usually the arm, but if desired the leg, of
the user of the apparatus.
[0002] In recent years, the developments in coding and storage of
digitised music have led to the production of small solid state
memory devices which can, however, store a substantial quantity of
recorded music and which can provide a personal listening
experience via earpieces. A variety of such devices are now
available on the market, for example under the trade mark
"iPod".
[0003] Despite their relatively small size, the sound reproduction
apparatus needs to be supported appropriately, for example by being
placed in a pocket of a garment worn by the listener or attached
directly or via a suitable casing to part of the wearer's clothing,
most often a belt. A wide variety of casings for such apparatus is
known. In addition to providing a mechanism for attachment of the
apparatus, the casing protects the apparatus from scratching or
other mechanical damage, reduces the ingress of dirt and dust, and
keeps the exterior of the apparatus clean.
[0004] Portable sound reproduction apparatus provides the user with
personal listening via earphones which need to be fitted to the
listener's ears and connected via a lead(s)--often inseparable from
the earphones--and plug arrangement to the apparatus on a suitable
socket therein. When not being used, the earphones and leads need
to be stored safely and preferably unobtrusively.
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a
system for carrying apparatus for personal use, which system
comprises a bracelet adapted to fit around a limb of the user, a
casing including a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive the
apparatus itself therein, and a cable or lead storage unit
including a necked configuration around which one or more cables or
leads may be wound for temporary storage, the casing and cable or
lead storage unit each being attachable to the bracelet and being
directly attachable to one another.
[0006] Preferably the bracelet is configured as a so-called "slap
bracelet", i.e. it consists of a length of flexible material in the
interior of which is an elongate sprung member having two positions
of stability, in one of which the sprung member takes the form of a
substantially straight line strip of material and in the other of
which it curls up to form a substantially circular shape with the
ends of the sprung member overlapped. The ends of the bracelet
preferably include slots or other configurations since, even in the
case of a slap bracelet which usually holds around the wrist or
ankle of the wearer without further mechanisms, it is desirable to
provide means for securing the ends of the bracelet together so as
to render the bracelet more positively attached round a limb of the
wearer. These may include conventional buckles or catches.
Alternatively the bracelet may include one or more magnets forming
a magnetic attachment. If desired, the bracelet may be attachable
to the wearer by means of an additional elasticated elongate strip
which is located between the two bracelet ends. This is of
particular value when it is desired to attach the bracelet to the
thicker portion of a limb, for example the thigh. Resilient bands
may be provided to hold overlapping portions of the bracelet
together for added security. The material of the bracelet is
preferably a rubbery plastics material (with internal steel spring
in the case of a slap bracelet configuration).
[0007] The casing is preferably in the form of a resilient
relatively tight-fitting casing into which the apparatus may be
inserted, and which is made of a material which is sufficiently
elastic to enable easy insertion but to hold the apparatus firmly
once inserted. A preferred material is moulded silicone rubber
which, additionally to keeping the apparatus clean and
scratch-free, protects it from impact shock if the casing
containing the apparatus is dropped.
[0008] The cable or lead storage unit preferably has to either side
of the necked configuration means for attaching it to the casing
and to the bracelet. One such means may be a clip, which, if
desired, can enable the storage unit to be attached to e.g. an
article of clothing, rather than to the casing for the apparatus
for personal use. The cable or lead storage unit may also be
configured to provide at least one receptacle for the receipt of at
least one earpiece.
[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention,
there is provided a slap bracelet having formed on an outer face
thereof when the bracelet is in coiled position, a resilient
flexible casing shaped and dimensioned to receive apparatus for
personal use and to hold it in place relative to the bracelet
itself.
[0010] The invention is illustrated by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic exploded side view of a system in
accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of parts of the system shown in
FIG. 1 assembled together;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the system as
worn round the wrist of a person, while
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the
system as worn round the arm or leg of person;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows four views of the cable winder unit shown in
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative assembly of a
bracelet, cable storage unit and casing; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but for a
larger item of personal apparatus.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, the system shown consists of a flexible
moulded silicone rubber casing 1 configured to fit an iPod Shuffle
(Registered Trade Mark) device, a cable winder 2 and a bracelet 3.
The bracelet 3 is a slap bracelet made up of an outer flexible
cover strip 20, an interior strip of sprung steel 21, and an inner
flexible strip 22. Strips 20 and 22 are made of silicone rubber and
have recesses on their facing surfaces to allow for the snug
reception of strip 21 when the bracelet is assembled by bringing
together strips 20 and 22 and fixing them one to another at their
edges, for example by means of adhesion or welding. At their ends,
strips 20 and 22 have apertures 23 through which the ends of an
elastic extension strap 29 having a buckle arrangement 31 may pass.
The ends of strap 29 may carry inter-engageable burr fastener pads
to enable each end to be secured to bracelet 3 by passing the end
through apertures 23 and then inter-engaging the burr fastener
pads, all four of which are on the underside of strap 29 as viewed
in FIG. 1. The bracelet 3 also includes two fastener bands 25 which
are held captive on the assembled bracelet by their own elasticity.
The bracelet 3 may have a slightly relieved portion (denoted 42) to
enable casing 1 or cable winder 2 to be located at a specific
position along its extent.
[0019] The resilient casing 1 may fit directly on the bracelet
shown in FIG. 2. If the assembly shown in FIG. 2 is to be worn
around the wrist, since bracelet 3 functions as a slap bracelet it
may simply be flipped to the curled up position, and will then
remain in place; however, for greater security, bands 25 may hold
overlapping parts of bracelet 3 together, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0020] If, however, the circumference of the limb on which the
device is to be held is slightly larger, then strap 29 may be used,
as shown in FIG. 4, with its ends passing through apertures 23 in
bracelet 3. By adjusting the position of strap 29 in buckle 31, the
assembly of bracelet and strap may be fitted appropriately to the
size of the limb on which it is located.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 5, this shows the cable winder unit 2
shown in FIG. 1 from different angles. The unit 2 consists
basically of a silicone rubber moulding 60 and a metal mounting
plate 62 attached thereto. A moulded bridge 64 is provided to
enable the unit to be fitted on to bracelet 3. A through hole may
be provided in moulding 60 to enable the unit (and any casing 1
attached thereto) to be worn on the breast, using a lanyard (not
shown) threaded through the hole and placed about the wearer's
neck.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a lead 66 wound round the central necked region
of moulding 60. By choosing suitable shapings and dimensions for
the moulding 60, a standard lead as supplied with personal audio
reproduction apparatus may substantially fill the neck region when
coiled up around it, and be held from uncoiling by the resilient
grip of the silicone rubber moulding 60 itself. Moulding 60 also
includes a resilient socket 68 on each side into which an earpiece
69 may be fitted, and a cylindrical socket 70 into which the
standard plug may be resiliently fitted.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the positioning of a casing 1 adjacent a cable
unit 2 which is in turn mounted on a bracelet 3. Casing 1 is
configured for an iPod "shuffle" apparatus. FIG. 7 shows a similar
arrangement, but with a casing 80 configured to receive an "iPod
nano" apparatus instead.
[0024] As can be seen from the above description of a specific way
of putting the invention into practice, the user may vary widely
how the elements of the system are used. Each of its components may
be used separately if desired, and each pairing of two components
is also possible (bracelet and cable winding and storage device,
bracelet and casing, and casing and cable winding and storage
device), as well as the combination of all three components. The
casing, bracelet and cable winding and storage device may be
produced in a range of sizes, colours and finishes, providing a
wider selection for those whose wearing of the system of the
invention needs to coordinate with other items they are wearing
and/or the circumstances of use of the personal apparatus in
question.
* * * * *