U.S. patent application number 13/422174 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for wrist-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s).
The applicant listed for this patent is David Chen Yu. Invention is credited to David Chen Yu.
Application Number | 20130240578 13/422174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49156716 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130240578 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yu; David Chen |
September 19, 2013 |
WRIST-BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CARRY MOBILE DEVICE(S)
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a mobile
device, among others, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case
to enclose the mobile device and a system to wear the apparatus on
a wrist. The systems comprised of the case; a case tether coupled
to the case; a base to couple with a wristband tether which in turn
coupled to a wrist brace, a finger ring to loop around a finger and
a case lock to secure the case in a closed position. Also
presented, a method to carry and use the device while tether to a
wrist.
Inventors: |
Yu; David Chen; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yu; David Chen |
Laguna Niguel |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49156716 |
Appl. No.: |
13/422174 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/197 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/385 20130101;
H04M 1/04 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F 2005/008 20130101;
A45F 2200/0516 20130101; H04B 1/3877 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/197 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus to carry a mobile device, comprising: a case to
enclose the mobile device having an opening for a tether-housing; a
case tether adaptably coupled to a base on one end and the other
end to the tether-housing; a base with a base hinge assembly, a
case lock, slots to accept a finger ring and a wristband tether; a
finger ring sized to be wearable on a finger; a wristband tether
slidably coupled to a wrist brace and comprising of a flexible
strap; and a wrist brace slidably coupled to the wrist.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a tether-housing adaptably
coupled to the case's opening with the ability to lock and unlock
from the case and allow the case to rotate three hundred and sixty
degrees.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a case tether securely
coupled to tether-housing on one end and adaptably retained within
the half circle hinge of the base hinge assembly on the other end.
The case tether is allowed to rotate three hundred and sixty
degrees on its axis and to pivot from left to right while coupled
to the half circle hinge.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a base having a base hinge
assembly adaptably and securely retaining one end of the case
tether, comprising: a base hinge to allow the case to pivot from up
to down; and a half circle hinge to allow the case to pivot from
left to right.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a base having a case lock
to keep the case in a closed position;
6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a flexible finger ring that
holds the apparatus to a user's finger.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a flexible wristband tether
that forms a loop around the wrist brace and the loop slides along
the wrist brace.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a wrist brace secured to
the base by a wristband tether.
9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wrist brace is strapped
around a user's wrist and is secured by: two straps of one with
microscopic hooks and another strip with microscopic loops or the
wrist brace can also be secured by a belt and a buckle, a button
and a buttonhole, a snap button and a receptacle or any other
coupling device that can secure the wrist brace to the wrist.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger ring, the
wristband tether and wrist brace are fabricated using a material or
a combination of materials from the group consisting of: leather,
metal, webbing, strap, fabric, plastic, cloth, rubber and/or
synthetic materials.
11. A method of carrying a mobile device or cell phone, comprising:
inserting the mobile device into a case, wherein the case having a
tether-housing adaptably coupled to a case tether; the case tether
is adaptably coupled to a base hinge assembly on the base; a base
having a case lock and couplings for a wristband tether and a
finger ring; one end of a wristband tether slidably coupled to a
wrist brace and the other to the base, the wristband tether and
wrist brace are comprising of flexible straps; a finger ring sized
to be wearable on a finger; a case lock to keep the case in a
closed position; and a wrist brace slidably coupled to the wrist;
and attaching and securing the apparatus to a wrist.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising securing the apparatus to a
finger.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising rotating the mobile device
carried in the apparatus to view and face the images
omni-directionally to a user.
14. The method of claim 11, comprising flexibly extending the case
from the palm of the hand to a comfortable viewing position.
15. The method of claim 11, comprising protecting the mobile device
from misplacement; fracturing due to accidental dropping and
unforeseeable scratching damages while being enclosed by the case
by wearing the apparatus on a user's wrist.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention pertains to wrist-based systems and
methods to carry mobile device(s).
[0002] Personal electronic devices have become extremely popular,
providing on-the-go entertainment and data access as well as mobile
phone service. Other personal electronic devices such as music
players and video players have also gained in use and
popularity.
[0003] Personal electronic devices are often carried in a pocket or
purse, or may be attached to a holster attached to a belt. While
some cases may offer protection alone, this protection often fails
to provide quick access, ease of use and may take up room in a
pocket or handbag.
SUMMARY
[0004] Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a
mobile device, among others, on a wrist brace. The system includes
a case to secure the mobile device; the case having a housing for
the coupling of a wrist attachment system; and the method to carry
the case on the wrist and a finger by hanging the device from the
wrist attachment system, and then locked and move the device into a
stowed position on the underside of a user's wrist.
[0005] The wrist attachment system comprises a case to enclose the
mobile device, the case having an opening adapted to receive a case
tether having a housing portion; a base flexibly coupled to case
tether; a wrist brace tether and a finger ring coupled to slots on
the base; and a case lock to secure the case in a closed
position.
[0006] Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of
the following. A finger ring can be worn on a finger and secured to
the base. A wrist brace can be worn on a wrist and slidably coupled
to the wristband tether. During use, the mobile device is inserted
into the case. Next, a user slips his/her finger into the finger
ring. The user then wears the wrist brace and secures the case to
the wrist of the user. In order to provide the best viewing and
typing angles, the device flexibly allows the Case to:
1. pivot up; 2. pivot from side to side; 3. rotate 360 degrees; and
4. allow for further flexibility a hinge on the Tether-housing
allows the housing to go up and down.
[0007] To offer further mobility and with the use of the
Tether-housing, the Case can be detached from the tether. The case
can be carried around on its own without attaching to the palm.
[0008] The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device
while allows the hand wearing the wrist brace to perform other
tasks.
[0009] The carrying devices described above provides for an
efficient and convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and
protecting a personal electronic device that can be attached to a
user's wrist. This method of carrying devices on the wrist
minimizes the chance of an accidental dropping of the device and
misplacing the device. While working with water or liquid it
minimizes the chance of liquid being spilled onto and damage the
device. If the case were mingled with other personal accessories in
the purse or pocket, scratching the surface of the case is a real
possibility but would be avoided with using the present system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock
assembly to carry a mobile device attached to a user's wrist.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock
assembly in an unlocked position and in use by a user.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock
assembly and with its case detached from its base, along with the
finger ring, wrist brace and wristband tether.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Various embodiments are now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like
elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may
be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
facilitate describing one or more embodiments.
[0014] In the following paragraphs, the preferred embodiment will
be described in detail by way of example with reference to the
attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred
embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars,
rather than as limitations on the preferred embodiment and any
equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s)
of the preferred embodiment throughout this document does not mean
that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced
feature(s).
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock
assembly to carry a mobile device attached to a user's wrist. Case
306 is a case, designed to protect a phone or a mobile device. The
case 306 contains a hole 304 to accommodate for a camera built-in
to the mobile device.
[0016] A case lock assembly 320 and a base hinge assembly 316
secure the Case 306 to the base 302. In FIG. 1, the case lock
assembly 320 is located on the head of the base 306. The case lock
assembly 320 comprises of an unlock switch 322 and two springs
within its housing. One of the springs within the housing raises
the case 306 up when it is unlocked from the locked position. To
unlock, a user would press in the unlock switch 322 and the case
306 is released from its locked position and raised up. To lock the
case into the closed position, a user would align the case 306's
lock hole 350 [see FIG. 3] with the half circle hinge lock pin 352
[see also FIG. 3] on the half circle hinge 312 and presses the half
circle hinge 312 down toward the base 302. When it reaches the
locked position, the case lock assembly 320 locks the half circle
hinge 312 and the case 306 in its closed position. When the unlock
switch 322 is not pressed down, the other spring holds the unlock
switch 322 extended and in closed position.
[0017] The base hinge assembly 316 comprises of a base hinge 314
that attaches a half circle hinge 312 to the base 302, the half
circle hinge 312 holds the Case 306 by a case tether 310 and a
tether-housing 308. The base hinge 314 allows the mobile device to
rotate on one axis and to move up and down while the half circle
hinge 312 allows the mobile device to move in another axis and to
move from side to side in the user's hands. The half circle hinge
312 also allows the Case to pivot hundred-eighty degrees. The case
tether 310 is allowed to rotate freely. Case tether 310 can rotate
three hundred and sixty degree on its axis and is being retained by
the half circle hinge 312; the other end is jointed with the
tether-housing 308 via a tether-housing-hinge 354 [see FIG. 3]. The
tether-housing-hinge 354 offers further usage flexibility due to
its ability to enable the tether-housing 308 to move up and down.
The tether-housing 308 is then tied to the case 306 by a lock pin
336 and fixed pin 332 (FIG. 3), which are inserted into a raised
rim 326 on the case 306. The tether-housing 308 allows the Case 306
to rotate 360 degrees. These features allow the user to type, take
pictures, and complete other activities with ease.
[0018] Base 302 secures the Case 306 to a user's wrist with several
components. A finger ring 318 holds the base 302 to a user's
finger. On the other side, a wristband tether 328 and a wrist brace
330 secures the base 302 to a user's wrist. The wrist brace 330 can
include a wristband and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist. The
wrist brace 330 is pivotably and rotatably coupled to one end of
the case.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock
assembly in an unlocked position and in use by a user. In FIG. 2,
the user is typing on the mobile device or phone (not shown) with
the user's finger. The Case 306 is allowed to swivel by the
tether-housing 308 (see FIG. 1). The inside of the raised rim 334
coupled with the fixed pin 332 and the lock pin 336 [see FIG. 3] of
the tether-housing 308 to lock the Case 306 into place, while
allowing the Case 306 to freely rotate.
[0020] The case lock assembly 320 releases the edge of the Case 306
into the opened position and allows for free movement of the case
306 and mobile device. Base hinge assembly 316 [see FIG. 1 and FIG.
3] confines the Case 306 while it is in its facedown position. The
base hinge 314 and the half circle hinge 312 [see FIG. 1 and FIG.
3] locks the case 306 onto the base 302, and allows for the swivel
movement of the Case 306. While the Case is upright, the slots 338
for wristband tether 328 are revealed. These slots 338 secure the
wristband tether 328 to the base 302. In turn, the wristband tether
328 is secured to the wrist brace 330. Finger ring 318 and Wrist
brace 330 works together to keep the base 302 in place. As the
figure demonstrates, the apparatus allows for a great range of
movement of the mobile device. All of the hinge assemblies 316,
320, 354, 308 and case tether 310, work in combination to allow the
mobile device to be moved to many positions for texting, pictures,
video viewing, etc. by a user.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock
assembly and with its case detached from its base, along with the
finger ring, wrist brace and wristband tether. The case 306 is not
connected to the tether-housing 308, therefore revealing the space
that is reserved for lock pin 336 and fixed pin 332. The fixed pin
332 and lock pin 336 hooks onto the underside of the raised rim 326
to lock the mobile device into place on the tether-housing 308.
Since the lock pin 336 and fixed pin 332 hook inside the case,
appropriate pin space 340 [see FIG. 2] is to be reserved for the
pins.
To attach the Case 306 to a tether-housing 308, a user would press
in the tether-housing unlock lever 307 which in turn retrieve the
lock pin 336 into the tether-housing 308, and place the
tether-housing's bottom half into the raised rim 326 of the case
306. Releasing the tether-housing unlock lever 307 will extend the
lock pin 336 and will lock the tether-housing 308 onto the raised
rim 326, thus locking the Case 306 in place. To release the case
306 from the tether-housing 308, a use must press the
tether-housing unlock lever 307. Doing so will cause the lock pin
336 to depress, which releases the case 306. Case 306 can be
detached from the tether-housing 308 and be carried and used
separately.
[0022] This figure also shows the case tether 310, wristband tether
328, wrist brace 330 and flexible finger ring 318. The case tether
310 is able to rotate three hundred and sixty degrees on a rotary
hinge 348 within the half circle hinge 312. This provides an even
larger range of movement of the Case 306. The flexible finger ring
318 is to be worn on user's middle finger. The wristband tether 328
is looped and locked in around the wrist brace 330 and the loop can
slide around the wrist brace 330. To adjust the length of the
wristband tether 328, a user can loop one end of the wristband
tether 328 up or down the end and attach its hooks to the
appropriate loops or snap button to its proper receptacle.
[0023] This figure also shows the configuration of a wrist brace
330. The Wrist brace 330 is secured to base 302 by a wristband
tether 328, which coupled with slots 338 on the base 302. Wrist
brace 330 would be strapped around a user's wrist and be secured by
two straps of Velcro: one with microscopic hooks 342 and another
strip with microscopic loops 344. The wrist brace 330 wraps around
the user's wrist as shown in FIG. 1. and FIG. 2.
[0024] Tethers 210, 218, 228 and wrist brace 230 may be fabricated
from any suitable material or a combination of webbing, leather,
fabric, plastic, a strap, a string, a ring, cloth or rubber band or
synthetic materials.
[0025] The mechanism of the closures 228, 242 and 244 of wrist
brace 230 in one embodiment is comprised of a strap loop, a band
with Velcro type of loops on one side and hooks on another, a belt
and a buckle, a button and buttonhole or a snap button and
receptacle type of configurations. In another embodiment, the
coupling is comprised of threaded loop and stitching/gluing and
clips. Other embodiments may be by a variety of means to accomplish
the task of coupling. The wrist brace 230 is pivotably and
rotatably coupled to one end of the base.
In order to provide the best viewing and typing angles, the device
flexibly allows the Case to: a) pivot up and down. b) pivot from
side to side and c) rotate 360 degrees
[0026] To offer further mobility and with the use of the
Tether-housing, the Case can be detached from the case tether. The
case can then be carried around on its own without attaching to the
palm. The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device with
or without coupling with a finger ring while allows the hand
wearing the case attached to a wrist to perform other tasks. During
use, the mobile device is inserted into the case housing which is
secured to the base. Next, a user slips his/her finger into the
finger ring that secures the base to the finger. The user then
wears the wrist brace and secures it to the wrist of the user.
[0027] The apparatus described above provides for an efficient and
convenient apparatus for carrying, using and protecting a personal
mobile device such as a cell phone or camera attached to a user's
wrist. The device incorporates a case which provides protection for
the personal electronic device and a wrist attachment to allow the
user to move the device into position for use, rotate and extend
the device as needed for use, and then move the device into a
stowed position on the underside of a user's wrist.
[0028] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams
may depict an example of the preferred embodiment, which is done to
aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be
included in the embodiment. The present system is not restricted to
the illustrated example designs or configurations, but the desired
features may be implemented using a variety of alternative designs
and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in
the art how alternative functional, logical or physical
partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the
desired features of the present apparatus. Additionally, with
regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method
claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not
mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the
recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates
otherwise.
[0029] Although the above system is described above in terms of
various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be
understood that the various features, aspects and functionality
described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not
limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with
which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in
various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments,
whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not
such features are presented as being a part of a described
embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present system should
not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments.
[0030] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing:
the term "including" should be read as meaning "including, without
limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide
exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or
limiting list thereof; the terms "a" or "an" should be read as
meaning "at least one," "one or more" or the like; and adjectives
such as "conventional," "traditional," "normal," "standard,"
"known" and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as
limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item
available as of a given time, but instead should be read to
encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard
technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in
the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies
that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the
art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the
skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
[0031] A group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should
not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be
present in the grouping, but rather should be read as "and/or"
unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items
linked with the conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring
mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read
as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore,
although items, elements or components of the invention may be
described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to
be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is
explicitly stated.
[0032] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or
more," "at least," "but not limited to" or other like phrases in
some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is
intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may
be absent. The use of the term "module" does not imply that the
components or functionality described or claimed as part of the
module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all
of the various components of a module, whether control logic or
other components, may be combined in a single package or separately
maintained and may further be distributed across multiple
locations.
[0033] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are
described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and
other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated
embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented
without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block
diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed
as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
[0034] The foregoing description of various disclosed embodiments
is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use
the present invention. The description is not intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
disclosed herein.
[0035] Various modifications and alterations of the above apparatus
will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the
accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any
method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the
order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in
which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or
discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for
claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of
a proviso or similar claim language.
* * * * *