U.S. patent application number 13/612821 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for electronic device case having an elastic stabilization strap.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nicholas J. Hansen. Invention is credited to Nicholas J. Hansen.
Application Number | 20130240380 13/612821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49156638 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130240380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen; Nicholas J. |
September 19, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE HAVING AN ELASTIC STABILIZATION STRAP
Abstract
A case for a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone can
be designed, for example, specifically for any version of the
iPhone.RTM.. The case includes an elastic strap on the back side
thereof to stabilize the device with one or more fingers while
using it. The elastic strap may fit snuggly against the case when
not in use, thereby not taking away from the slim form factor of
the smartphone. A user can slide one or more fingers under the
elastic strap on the back of the smartphone case to stabilize and
secure the phone in the palm of the user, keeping the thumb free
for typing. The elastic strap can pass through slots in the case
and can be sewn together to form a loop or can include a hook on
one end and a loop on another end to removably attach the elastic
strap to the case.
Inventors: |
Hansen; Nicholas J.;
(Chicago, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hansen; Nicholas J. |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49156638 |
Appl. No.: |
13/612821 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61611518 |
Mar 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45C
2011/002 20130101; A45F 2200/0516 20130101; A45F 2005/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/37 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00 |
Claims
1. A case for a portable electronic device, comprising: an elastic
strap disposed along at least a portion of a back side of the case,
wherein the elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back
side of the case when not in use, and the strap is operable to
stretch to allow one or more fingers of a user to fit between the
elastic strap and the case.
2. The case of claim 1, further comprising a first slit and a
second slit formed in the case, the strap fitting into the first
slit and the second slit.
3. The case of claim 2, wherein the strap forms a continuous loop
through the first slit and the second slit.
4. The case of claim 3, wherein the strap is stitched together to
form the continuous loop.
5. The case of claim 3, further comprising a hook disposed on a
first end of the strap and a loop formed on a second, opposite end
of the strap, wherein the hook catches into the loop to form the
continuous loop.
6. The case of claim 2, wherein the elastic strap terminates on a
first end inside the first slit and on a second, opposite end
inside the second slit.
7. The case of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a
smartphone.
8. A case for a mobile communication device, comprising: an elastic
strap disposed along at least a portion of a back side of the case;
a first slit and a second slit formed in the case, the strap
fitting into the first slit and the second slit, wherein the
elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back side of the
case when not in use, and the strap is operable to stretch to allow
one or more fingers of a user to fit between the elastic strap and
the case; and the strap is stitched together to form a continuous
loop.
9. A case for a mobile communication device, comprising: an elastic
strap disposed along at least a portion of a back side of the case;
a first slit and a second slit formed in the case, the strap
fitting into the first slit and the second slit; a hook disposed on
a first end of the strap and a loop formed on a second, opposite
end of the strap, wherein the hook catches into the loop to form a
continuous loop, wherein the elastic strap rests substantially flat
along the back side of the case when not in use, and the strap is
operable to stretch to allow one or more fingers of a user to fit
between the elastic strap and the case.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application number 61/611,518, filed Mar. 15, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to mobile electronic device
accessories and, more particularly, to a case (protective or for
other purposes) having an elastic strap on the back side thereof to
stabilize the device with finger(s) while using it.
[0003] Electronic devices, such as smart phones, including the
iPhone.RTM. 4 have a poor form factor and are difficult to
stabilize while using. Conventional straps are often loose in both
attachment to the device and in securing to the hand or fingers of
the user. Moreover, conventional straps are non-discreet and do not
allow the mobile device to retain a slim profile. Other straps may
have loose parts, such as a tether cord or some other strap which
may get caught on other items (for example, in a bag, pocketbook or
the like) and does not retain the device's otherwise slim
profile.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved device case
that has an elastic stabilization strap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a case for a
portable electronic device comprises an elastic strap disposed
along at least a portion of a back side of the case, wherein the
elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back side of the
case when not in use, and the strap is operable to stretch to allow
one or more fingers of a user to fit between the elastic strap and
the case.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a case for a
mobile communication device comprises an elastic strap disposed
along at least a portion of a back side of the case; a first slit
and a second slit formed in the case, the strap fitting into the
first slit and the second slit, wherein the elastic strap rests
substantially flat along the back side of the case when not in use,
and the strap is operable to stretch to allow one or more fingers
of a user to fit between the elastic strap and the case; and the
strap is stitched together to form a continuous loop.
[0007] In a further aspect of the present invention, a case for a
mobile communication device comprises an elastic strap disposed
along at least a portion of a back side of the case; a first slit
and a second slit formed in the case, the strap fitting into the
first slit and the second slit; a hook disposed on a first end of
the strap and a loop formed on a second, opposite end of the strap,
wherein the hook catches into the loop to form a continuous loop,
wherein the elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back
side of the case when not in use, and the strap is operable to
stretch to allow one or more fingers of a user to fit between the
elastic strap and the case.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device case,
in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the
electronic device case of FIG. 1 separated from the electronic
device;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a back view of the electronic device case with the
electronic device disposed therein;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an inside view of the electronic device case with
a sewn-in strap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an inside view of the electronic device case with
a removable, hook-in strap according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front view of a hook-in strap used with the
electronic device case of FIG. 6; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of the electronic device case used
with the hook-in strap of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0018] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
case for a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone. In some
embodiments, the case may be designed specifically for any version
of the iPhone.RTM.. The case includes an elastic strap on the back
side thereof to stabilize the device with one or more fingers while
using it. The elastic strap may fit snuggly against the case when
not in use, thereby not taking away from the slim form factor of
the smartphone. A user can slide one or more fingers under the
elastic strap on the back of the smartphone case to stabilize and
secure the phone in the palm of the user, keeping the thumb free
for typing. The elastic strap can pass through slots in the case
and can be sewn together to form a loop or can include a hook on
one end and a loop on another end to removably attach the elastic
strap to the case.
[0019] Referring now to the Figures, an elastic strap 10 may be
attached to the back of a portable electronic device case, such as
a smartphone case 12. In some embodiments, the strap 10 may be
attached to the inside back of the case 12 and fed through two
small slits 18 formed in the back of the case 12. In some
embodiments, the strap 10 may be formed as a continuous loop of
material formed through these slits 18, held together with
stitching 24, for example. In other embodiments, the strap 10 may
terminate on ends just inside slits 18 in the back of the case
12.
[0020] In other embodiments, the strap 10 may include a hook 20 on
a first end thereof and a loop 22 formed in a second, opposite end
of the strap 10. The strap 10 can pass through the slits 18 and
connect with the hook 20 being connected into the loop 22 to form a
continuous strap. Regardless of design, the strap 10 may be secured
to and extend from the back side of the case as shown by the dashed
line in FIG. 4 when in use, fitting snuggly therealong when not in
use, however, immediately accessible by the user 16 when
desired.
[0021] The strap 10 may be made from various materials, in various
widths and thicknesses. Typically, the strap 10 may be designed to
elastically deform to securely hold one or more fingers of the user
16.
[0022] The strap 10 may be positioned at various locations or angle
along the back of the device. For example, the strap 10 may be
positioned on a lower half of the back of the case 12 for
smartphones, allowing the user 16 to type with their thumb while
one or more fingers are inserted into the strap 10. In some
embodiments, the strap 10 may extend over a longer portion of the
case 12, or may have additional stretch to allow the strap 10 to be
worn on a user's wrist. Regardless of the size, location, or angle
of the strap 10 on the case 12, the strap 10 may be resiliently
designed so that the strap 10 returns to position, snuggly
alongside the case 12 when not in use.
[0023] The case 12 can include a camera hole 14, as shown in the
Figures. However, the camera hole 14 is optional, depending on the
electronic device for which the case 12 is designed. The camera
hole 14 could be made in different sizes, shapes and positioned in
different locations, for example.
[0024] The strap 10 and case 12 may be made from various materials
in various colors. In some embodiments, the strap 10 may include a
base elastic material having a covering to hide or disguise the
elastic. For example, a leather covering may be applied to the
strap 10 so that a leather material is seen when the strap 10 is
not in use, but the elastic may still stretch to allow a user to
insert their finger(s), wrist, or the like. Other materials and
designs may be used for the strap 10 and case 12 within the scope
of the present invention.
[0025] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *