U.S. patent application number 13/151990 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for accessory for portable electronic devices that enhances the grip and comfort of the user.
Invention is credited to Lieyu Hu.
Application Number | 20120305445 13/151990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47260843 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120305445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu; Lieyu |
December 6, 2012 |
Accessory for Portable Electronic Devices That Enhances the Grip
and Comfort of the User
Abstract
An apparatus and method of using the apparatus is presented. The
apparatus includes a base protective housing includes a back
portion and side panels. The base protective housing is operable
for joining to a portable electronic device where the back portion
at least covers a back of the portable electronic device. A finger
pocket includes a cavity. The finger pocket is joined to the back
portion and is operable for receiving a plurality of fingers into
the cavity to grasp the back portion. The method includes joining a
base protective housing comprising a back portion and side panels
to a portable electronic device where the back portion at least
covers a back of the portable electronic device. The method further
includes inserting one or more fingers into a finger pocket joined
to the back portion to grasp the back portion and the portable
electronic device.
Inventors: |
Hu; Lieyu; (Lexington,
MA) |
Family ID: |
47260843 |
Appl. No.: |
13/151990 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/775 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0516 20130101;
A45F 2005/008 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45F 2005/006 20130101; A45F 2200/0525
20130101; A45C 2011/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/775 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a base protective housing comprising a
back portion and side panels, said base protective housing being
operable for joining to a portable electronic device where said
back portion at least covers a back of the portable electronic
device; and a finger pocket comprising a cavity, said finger pocket
being joined to said back portion and being operable for receiving
a plurality of fingers into said cavity to grasp said back
portion.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which an opening of said
cavity is proximate a one of said side panels.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said cavity
comprises a plurality of friction zones for increased interaction
with the fingers.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said finger pocket
further comprises a plurality of ventilation openings into said
cavity.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, in which said ventilation
openings are on a back side of said finger pocket.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said cavity
further comprises at least two finger openings for forming at least
two finger cavities.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which a one of said side
panels comprises an opening being operable for accepting
accessories for the portable electronic device.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a wrist
strap joined to said base protective housing, said wrist strap
being operable for receiving a wrist of a hand of the plurality of
fingers.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, in which said wrist strap
is removably joined to said base protective housing.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, in which said wrist strap
is joined to one of said side panels.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said base
protective housing is joined to the portable electronic device by
snapping said base protective housing about a back and sides of the
portable electronic device.
12. An apparatus comprising: means for joining to a portable
electronic device where said joining means at least covers a back
of the portable electronic device; and means for receiving a
plurality of fingers into a cavity to grasp said joining means.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising means
being operable for receiving a wrist of a hand of the plurality of
fingers.
14. A method comprising steps of: joining a base protective housing
comprising a back portion and side panels to a portable electronic
device where said back portion at least covers a back of the
portable electronic device; and inserting one or more fingers into
a finger pocket joined to said back portion to grasp said back
portion and the portable electronic device.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, in which said inserting
further comprises placing the one or more fingers into one or more
finger cavities in said finger pocket where a weight of said base
protective housing and the portable electronic device is supported
about the one or more fingers.
16. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step
of placing a wrist of a hand of the one or more fingers into a
wrist strap joined to said base protective housing.
17. The method as recited in claim 14, in which said back portion
and the portable electronic device is grasped between the one or
more fingers and a thumb.
18. The method as recited in claim 14, in which said joining
further comprises the step of snapping said base protective housing
about a back and sides of the portable electronic device.
19. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step
of removably joining said wrist strap to said base protective
housing.
20. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step
of accessing accessories for the portable electronic device through
an opening in one of said side panels.
Description
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING
APPENDIX
[0002] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to
portable electronic devices. More particularly, the invention
relates to accessories to improve user comfort and device
durability of portable electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In recent years, advances in technology have yielded
lightweight and small portable electronic devices with low power
consumption. These technological improvements of portable
electronic devices have resulted in extended using time and
increased using frequency of such devices. Examples of such devices
include, without limitation, iPad.RTM., Android.RTM. based tablet
computers, Windows.RTM. based tablet computers, E-book readers,
portable media players, portable DVD players, as well as mobile
phones with large screens.
[0006] These portable electronic devices, especially touch screen
based tablet computers, have become immensely popular and are
generally larger and heavier than cell phones or portable music
players such as, but not limited to, iPods. For example, without
limitation, the iPad.RTM. weighs around 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) for
the Wi-Fi model and 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) for the Wi-Fi+3G model.
These portable electronic devices can be held or operated by one or
two hands, preferably by two hands due to their increased sizes and
weights. However, the user's wrist and hand can easily become
fatigued from holding such devices due to their increased sizes and
weights. Thus, using such devices for an extended period of time
can quickly become uncomfortable. Due to the size and weight of
these portable electronic devices and the user fatigue induced by
them, the frequency of the user losing grasp and damaging such
devices has been significantly increased over smaller devices.
Accordingly, it would be desirable and useful to provide
accessories for portable electronic devices that reduce the fatigue
to a user's wrist and hand from extended usage.
[0007] Portable electronic devices, such as, but not limited to,
iPad.RTM., are conventionally protected from damage by housing
accessories. However, these housing accessories do not alleviate
the fatigue of a user's wrist and hand. Furthermore, housing
accessories add more weight to the portable electronic devices. A
prior art accessory for improving security and comfort of grasping
by a user of a handheld electronic device comprises a base portion
configured to substantially mate with a surface of the handheld
electronic device and a loop portion connected to the base portion
configured to receive a finger while the user is grasping the
device. The loop portion assists the user in securely grasping the
device with the finger while holding and operating the device. This
accessory can further improve security and grasping by a user by
attaching a second loop portion into which a second finger may be
inserted; however, no more than two fingers may be used with this
accessory. The handheld electronic devices with which this
accessory is to be used are small handheld electronic devices, such
as cell phones, GPS systems, portable gaming devices, mp3 players,
and remote controllers. These small handheld electronic devices are
typically held and operated by a single hand and do not usually
cause fatigue on a user's hand and wrist. This accessory does not
address the need for holding and operating portable electronic
devices with larger screens, which are larger and heavier than
these small devices and specifically does not address the increased
pressure on a user's wrist and hand and the resulting fatigue
buildup induced by the portable electronic devices with larger
screens. Furthermore, this accessory does not protect the portable
electronic device, particularly if the user loses grasp of the
device. Additionally, this accessory is not aesthetic and does not
comply with the sleek look of many current portable electronic
devices, such as, but not limited to, the iPad.RTM., E-book
readers, tablet computers, etc.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved
techniques for providing an accessory for portable electronic
devices with small or large screens that enhances the grip and
comfort of the user, reduces the user's hand fatigue, protects the
device, and blends with the sleek look of many of these portable
electronic devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory
for improving the comfort and grasp of users of portable electronic
devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary accessory in use on
a portable electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 2A is a front perspective view, and
FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory
for improving the comfort and grasp of users of portable electronic
devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, an accessory for portable
electronic devices that enhances the grip and comfort of the user
is presented.
[0015] In one embodiment an apparatus includes a base protective
housing includes a back portion and side panels. The base
protective housing is operable for joining to a portable electronic
device where the back portion at least covers a back of the
portable electronic device. A finger pocket includes a cavity. The
finger pocket is joined to the back portion and is operable for
receiving a plurality of fingers into the cavity to grasp the back
portion. In another embodiment an opening of the cavity is
proximate a one of the side panels. In yet another embodiment the
cavity comprises a plurality of friction zones for increased
interaction with the fingers. In still another embodiment the
finger pocket further comprises a plurality of ventilation openings
into the cavity. In another embodiment the ventilation openings are
on a back side of the finger pocket. In yet another embodiment the
cavity further comprises at least two finger openings for forming
at least two finger cavities. In still another embodiment a one of
the side panels comprises an opening being operable for accepting
accessories for the portable electronic device. Another embodiment
further includes a wrist strap joined to the base protective
housing, the wrist strap being operable for receiving a wrist of a
hand of the plurality of fingers. In yet another embodiment the
wrist strap is removably joined to the base protective housing. In
still another embodiment the wrist strap is joined to one of the
side panels. In another embodiment the base protective housing is
joined to the portable electronic device by snapping the base
protective housing about a back and sides of the portable
electronic device.
[0016] In another embodiment an apparatus includes means for
joining to a portable electronic device where the joining means at
least covers a back of the portable electronic device and means for
receiving a plurality of fingers into a cavity to grasp the joining
means. Another embodiment further includes means being operable for
receiving a wrist of a hand of the plurality of fingers.
[0017] In another embodiment a method includes the steps of joining
a base protective housing comprising a back portion and side panels
to a portable electronic device where the back portion at least
covers a back of the portable electronic device. The method further
includes the steps of inserting one or more fingers into a finger
pocket joined to the back portion to grasp the back portion and the
portable electronic device. In another embodiment inserting further
includes placing the one or more fingers into one or more finger
cavities in the finger pocket where a weight of the base protective
housing and the portable electronic device is supported about the
one or more fingers. Yet another embodiment further includes the
step of placing a wrist of a hand of the one or more fingers into a
wrist strap joined to the base protective housing. In still another
embodiment the back portion and the portable electronic device is
grasped between the one or more fingers and a thumb. In another
embodiment the joining further includes snapping the base
protective housing about a back and sides of the portable
electronic device. Yet another embodiment further includes the step
of removably joining the wrist strap to the base protective
housing. Still another embodiment further includes the step of
accessing accessories for the portable electronic device through an
opening in one of the side panels.
[0018] Other features, advantages, and objects of the present
invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood
from the following detailed description, which should be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures and description set forth herein.
[0020] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it
should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light
of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity
of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of
the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation
choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is,
there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention
that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the
scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as
plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa,
where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily
imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0021] It is to be further understood that the present invention is
not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials,
manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein,
as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology
used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, a reference to "an element" is a reference to
one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to
those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a
reference to "a step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more
steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All
conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense
possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical
"exclusive or" unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to
functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to express approximation should be so understood unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0022] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are
described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials
similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the
practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described
herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents
of such structures. The present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0023] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and
modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such
variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other
features which are already known in the art, and which may be used
instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
[0024] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to
particular combinations of features, it should be understood that
the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes
any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed
herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as
presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any
or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention.
[0025] Features which are described in the context of separate
embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity,
described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be
provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The
Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to
such features and/or combinations of such features during the
prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application derived therefrom.
[0026] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," "various embodiments," etc., may indicate that the
embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every
embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure,
or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one
embodiment," or "in an exemplary embodiment," do not necessarily
refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
[0027] As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful
considerations and compromises typically must be made when
designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial
implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance
with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may
configured according to the needs of the particular application,
whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to
any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably
omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or
optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills
and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that
addresses the needs of the particular application.
[0028] It is to be understood that any exact
measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials
indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable
configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way.
Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled
in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following
teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation
details.
[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention and at least
one variation thereof address and alleviate issues caused by the
use of portable electronic devices with large screens by improving
the user's comfort and grasp of these devices. Particularly, many
preferred embodiments reduce the weight-induced pressure on the
user's wrist and hand and decreases the fatigue induced by extended
use of such devices. Some examples of commercially significant
products that may be used with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention include, without limitation, iPads.RTM.,
Android.RTM. based tablet computers, Windows.RTM. based tablet
computers, E-Book readers (e.g., Amazon kindle.RTM.), portable
media players, portable DVD players, mobile phones with screens
equal or greater than five inches diagonally, etc.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory
100 for improving the comfort and grasp of users of portable
electronic devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In the present embodiment, accessory 100 is a two-finger
version; however, alternate embodiments may be implemented for use
with more or fewer fingers. In the present embodiment, accessory
100 comprises a base protective housing 110 configured to attach,
confine, and protect a portable electronic device and a finger
pocket 120 on the rear side of base housing 110. Finger pocket 120
is configured with two cavities to receive two fingers of a user
while grasping a device. However, it is contemplated that finger
pockets in alternate embodiments may be configured differently to
receive one or more fingers. For example, without limitation, one
alternate embodiment comprises one large finger pocket that may
receive multiple fingers as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. In
another alternate embodiment, the finger pocket may comprise up to
four separate cavities for receiving up to four fingers. Moreover,
the finger pockets in alternate embodiments may be positioned in a
multiplicity of suitable locations on the rear side of the housing
to suit different users. For example, without limitation, in one
alternate embodiment, the finger pocket may be located on the right
side of the housing for left-handed users. In the present
embodiment, an opening 130 on the side panel of base protective
housing 110 is able to receive other accessories for the portable
electronic device, such as, but not limited to, headphones, power
supply cables, USB cables, speakers, keyboards, etc. Those skilled
in the art, in light of the present teachings, will readily
recognize that openings in alternate embodiments may be configured
differently in order to accommodate the various different ports,
docks and features present on the wide range of portable electronic
devices available. In the present embodiment, housing 110 and
finger pocket 120 may be made of a multiplicity of suitable
materials including, but not limited to, polymers, plastics,
metals, leather, silicone, etc. Furthermore, housing 110 and finger
pocket 120 may be made of the same material, different materials or
the same material with different properties such as, but not
limited to, elasticity, adhesiveness, porosity, texture, etc.
[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary accessory 100 in use
on a portable electronic device 210, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a front perspective
view, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view. Accessory 100 is
employed to improve a user's comfort and grasp of portable
electronic device 210. In the present embodiment, housing 110
preferably snaps onto device 210; however, a multiplicity of
suitable attachment means may be used in alternate embodiments. For
example, without limitation, some alternate embodiments may be made
of elastic materials such as, but not limited to, silicone or
rubber, that are able to stretch and wrap around the device. Other
alternate attachment means include without limitation, Velcro.RTM.,
adhesives, clips, elastic straps, etc.
[0032] According to the present embodiment, accessory 100 has a low
profile and is aesthetically compatible with the sleek look of
portable electronic device 210 and other current portable
electronic devices with which accessory 100 may be used. In some
embodiments of the present invention, housing 110 may have
different colors, patterns or artwork to make accessory 100 more
aesthetically compatible with the portable electronic device with
which it is to be used. Moreover, housing 110 and finger pocket 120
may be the same or different colors or patterns.
[0033] Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings,
will readily recognize that accessories in alternate embodiments
may be used with a multiplicity of suitable devices and that the
size and shape of the housings in alternate embodiments may vary in
order to accommodate these different devices. Portable electronic
devices that may be used with the present embodiment can have a
touch screen or a regular screen and can be equipped with or
without a physical keyboard. Accessory 100 is preferably used with
portable electronic devices with large screens whose diagonal
length ranges from five to fifteen inches. However, some alternate
embodiments may be implemented for use with devices with larger or
smaller screens.
[0034] In typical use of the present embodiment, referring to FIG.
2B, a user's hand 200 comfortably secures and grasps portable
electronic device 210 by inserting two fingers into a finger pocket
120. The fingers shown received by finger pocket 120 are an index
finger 220 and a middle finger 230. However, a ring finger 240 or a
little finger 250 may also be received by finger pocket 120 in a
alternative embodiment, in which four individual finger pockets are
provided, and the particular combination of fingers inserted into
finger pocket 120 is determined by user preference. Some users may
prefer to insert only one finger into finger pocket 120. Referring
to FIG. 2A, the user holds device 210 between a thumb 260, a palm
270, and the interactions between fingers 220 and 230 in finger
pocket 120. Finger pocket 120 assists the user in comfortably and
securely grasping device 210 while operating device 210 by
supporting a portion of the weight of portable electronic device
210. This improves the user comfort by reducing the pressure on the
user's wrist and hand 200 and also enables the user to obtain a
secure grasp on device 210 with minimum effort. Portable electronic
device 210 can be held or operated by one or two hands, preferably
by two hands with thumb 260 maintaining a firm grasp on device 210
and the user's other hand operating device 210. When using only one
hand, the user uses thumb 260 to operate device 210 and the
interaction of finger pocket 120 with fingers 220 and 230 keeps
device 210 in place on hand 200. As the interaction between fingers
220 and 230 and finger pocket 120 generally prevents device 210
from falling from hand 200, the accessory 100 also protects
portable electronic device 210 in the case when the user loses
grasp of device 210. Furthermore, housing 110 protects portable
electronic device 210 from scratching or other damage and therefore
improves the durability of device 210.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory
400 for improving the comfort and grasp of users of portable
electronic devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In the present embodiment accessory 400 comprises a
finger pocket 420 on a housing 410, multiple ventilation openings
440, multiple friction zones 430, and a protective wrist strap 450.
Finger pocket 420 is configured to receive more than one finger in
one pocket. Ventilation openings 440 in finger pocket 420 help to
ventilate the user's hand and increase the comfort of the user's
fingers. Friction zones 430 are textured areas inside finger pocket
420 that help to increase the interaction between the user's
fingers and accessory 400 and assist the grasp of the portable
electronic device. Wrist strap 450 connects accessory 400 to the
user's wrist to generally prevent the device from freefalling in
case the user loses grasp completely when the user's fingers are
not securely inserted into finger pocket 420. Wrist strap 450 may
be made of the same material as housing 410 or may be made of a
different material such as, but not limited to, cording, nylon
webbing, leather, plastic, neoprene, fabric, etc. Wrist strap 410
may be permanently or removably attached to accessory 400. It is
contemplated that an accessory similar to the present embodiment
may be provided without a wrist strap in an alternate embodiment.
Moreover, other alternate embodiments similar to the present
embodiment may be incorporated without ventilation openings or
friction zones. Similarly, some embodiments with finger pockets
comprising multiple cavities, as shown by way of example in FIGS.
1, 2A and 2B, may comprise some or all of these features including,
but not limited to, wrist straps, ventilation openings and friction
zones.
[0036] Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings,
will readily recognize that a multiplicity of suitable features may
be added to alternate embodiments of the present invention. For
example, without limitation, a loop may be provided on the front of
the housing into which the user's thumb may be inserted. Decorative
items such as, but not limited to, shapes, crystals, LEDs, etc. may
be provided on the housing. Pockets for holding other small
accessories including, but not limited to, ear buds or styluses may
be included in some alternate embodiments.
[0037] One alternate embodiment of the present invention may
comprise a thicker edge along the side of the housing that is to be
grasped by the user. This thickened edge may enable the user to
obtain an even more secure grasp than with a thinner edge. This
embodiment may be particularly useful for users with larger hands
or conditions such as, but not limited to, arthritis.
[0038] Another alternate embodiment comprises a large pocket on the
rear side of the housing that is able to accommodate a large
portion of a user's hand including the thumb and part of the palm.
In typical use of this embodiment, the user places all four fingers
and thumb into the pocket with the palm open and facing the rear
side of the portable electronic device. The user may then use the
other hand to operate the device.
[0039] In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention
a finger pocket can be incorporated into a portable electronic
device rather than being provided as an accessory. Some alternate
embodiments with incorporated finger pockets may also comprise
incorporated protective housings on the portable electronic
devices.
[0040] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the
present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of
providing comfort and grasp enhancing accessories according to the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The
invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the
specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the
particular implementation of the accessory may vary depending upon
the particular type of item with which it is to be used. The
accessories described in the foregoing were directed to
implementations for use with portable electronic devices; however,
similar techniques are to use comfort and grasp enhancing
accessories with non-electronic items such as, but not limited to,
books or magazines. Implementations of the present invention for
use with non-electronic items are contemplated as within the scope
of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the following claims.
[0041] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered
and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding.
Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and
should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or
steps in the claims.
* * * * *