U.S. patent application number 13/632155 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for universal mobile device holster with forward-urging curved spring.
The applicant listed for this patent is Howard Bullock. Invention is credited to Howard Bullock.
Application Number | 20140091117 13/632155 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50384240 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140091117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bullock; Howard |
April 3, 2014 |
UNIVERSAL MOBILE DEVICE HOLSTER WITH FORWARD-URGING CURVED
SPRING
Abstract
A universal mobile device holster is disclosed, the holster
including a shell having a front side and a back side, which
together define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive a
mobile device. The holster also includes at least one
forward-urging spring attached within the cavity, and adapted for
applying forward force for aligning and for applying forward
gripping pressure on a mobile device held within the cavity for
ensuring that the mobile device is removably secure within the
holster.
Inventors: |
Bullock; Howard; (Richland,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bullock; Howard |
Richland |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50384240 |
Appl. No.: |
13/632155 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0516 20130101;
A45F 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/242 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20060101
A45F005/02 |
Claims
1. A universal mobile device holster, the holster comprising: an
open shell having a front side and a back side, which together
define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive a mobile device;
and at least one forward-urging positioning device disposed within
the cavity, the at least one forward-urging positioning device
being adapted to urge the mobile device forward against the front
side so as to securely and removably hold the mobile device within
the open shell.
2. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein the at
least one forward-urging positioning device includes a curved
spring.
3. The universal mobile device holster of claim 2, wherein the
curved spring is attached to the back side of the open shell.
4. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein an inner
surface of the cavity opposite to the forward-urging positioning
device provides friction when contacted by the mobile device,
thereby resisting vertical movement of the mobile device so as to
retain the device in the holster unless the mobile device is
intentionally removed from the holster.
5. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein; the
back side is substantially flat, and the front side is
substantially curved.
6. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein the
cavity is about 30 to 300 percent larger in volume than the mobile
device to be inserted.
7. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, further
comprising: at least one attachment mechanism for attaching the
open shell to a garment.
8. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at
least one attachment mechanism includes: an extended clip disposed
along the top of the back side of the open shell.
9. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at
least one attachment mechanism includes: at least one belt loop
attached to the back side of the open shell.
10. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at
least one attachment mechanism includes: hook and loop material
attached to the back side of the open shell.
11. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at
least one attachment mechanism includes: non-slip material attached
to the back side of the open shell.
12. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at
least one attachment mechanism includes: a pin and pin receiver
attached to the back side of the open shell.
13. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at
least one attachment mechanism includes: a plurality of permanent
magnets attached to the back side of the open shell.
14. A universal mobile device holster comprising: an open shell
having a front side, and a back side, which together define a
cavity with an opening adapted to receive a mobile device; at least
one forward-urging positioning device disposed within the cavity,
the at least one forward-urging positioning device being adapted to
urge the mobile device forward against the front side so as to
securely and removably hold the mobile device within the open
shell; and an attachment mechanism disposed on the back side of the
open shell capable of attaching the open shell to a garment.
15. The universal mobile device holster of claim 14, wherein the
attachment mechanism includes: an extended clip disposed along the
top of the back side of the open shell.
16. The universal mobile device holster of claim 14, wherein the
attachment mechanism includes: at least one belt loop attached to
the back side of the open shell.
17. The universal mobile device holster of claim 14, wherein the
attachment mechanism includes: a patch of a hook and loop material
attached to the back side of the open shell.
18. The universal mobile device holster of claim 14, wherein the
attachment mechanism includes: a pin and pin receiver attached to
the back side of the open shell.
19. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the
attachment mechanism includes: a plurality of permanent magnets
attached to the back side of the open shell.
20. A universal mobile device holster comprising: an open shell
having a front side, and a back side, which together define a
cavity with an opening adapted to receive a mobile device; at least
one forward-urging positioning device disposed within the cavity,
the at least one forward-urging positioning device being adapted to
urge the mobile device forward against the front side so as to
securely and removably hold the mobile device within the open
shell; and non-slip material attached to at least the back side of
the open shell for resisting removal of the universal mobile device
holster from a pocket of a garment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/493,453 filed Jun. 26, 2009, and entitled
"Mobile Device Holster", which claims priority from Provisional
Patent Application Ser. Number 61/133,380 filed Jun. 27, 2008, and
entitled " Mobile Device Quick Draw Holster", the entirety of each
patent application being incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to mobile devices, and more
particularly to mobile device accessories.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mobile devices such as cellular mobile devices, PDA's,
GPS's, and the like, have provided great convenience in
communications, personal organization, and computing, and are now
commonplace and widely popular. The added convenience provided by
such mobile devices has led to many people becoming dependent upon
the devices. Such dependence has placed an obligation on many
mobile device users to keep the device with them, within earshot,
nearby, and/or on their person, at all times. There are many ways
to store the devices on or near the user, such as placing them in
pockets, pocket books, purses, etc. Many of these storage methods
however, can cause damage due to such things as other articles
coming in contact with them, or by being crushed. Damage can also
occur if the device unintentionally falls or slips out of its
storage location.
[0004] Holsters have been devised to store mobile devices to
prevent such damage. These holsters, however, are custom-designed
for one particular type of mobile device, thereby making them
unsuitable for use with devices other than the device for which the
holster was designed.
SUMMARY
[0005] A universal mobile device holster is disclosed which can be
used with mobile devices of a variety of shapes and sizes,
nevertheless securely holding the mobile device, while also
allowing quick and efficient removal of the mobile device from the
holster.
[0006] A general aspect of the invention is a universal mobile
device holster. The holster includes: an open shell having a front
side and a back side, which together define a cavity with an
opening adapted to receive a mobile device; and at least one
forward-urging positioning device disposed within the cavity, the
at least one forward-urging positioning device being adapted to
urge the mobile device forward against the front side so as to
securely and removably hold the mobile device within the open
shell.
[0007] In some embodiments, the at least one forward-urging
positioning device includes a curved spring. In further
embodiments, the curved spring is attached to the back side of the
open shell.
[0008] In some embodiments, an inner surface of the cavity opposite
to the forward-urging positioning device provides friction when
contacted by the mobile device, thereby resisting vertical movement
of the mobile device so as to retain the device in the holster
unless the mobile device is intentionally removed from the
holster.
[0009] In some embodiments, the back side is substantially flat,
and the front side is substantially curved.
[0010] In some embodiments, the cavity is about 30 to 300 percent
larger in volume than the mobile device to be inserted.
[0011] In some embodiments, the universal mobile device holder
further includes at least one attachment mechanism for attaching
the open shell to a garment.
[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism
includes an extended clip disposed along the top of the back side
of the open shell.
[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism
includes at least one belt loop attached to the back side of the
open shell.
[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism
includes hook and loop material attached to the back side of the
open shell.
[0015] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism
includes non-slip material attached to the back side of the open
shell.
[0016] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism
includes a pin and pin receiver attached to the back side of the
open shell.
[0017] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism
includes a plurality of permanent magnets attached to the back side
of the open shell.
[0018] Another general aspect of the invention is a universal
mobile device holster including: an open shell having a front side,
and a back side, which together define a cavity with an opening
adapted to receive a mobile device; at least one forward-urging
positioning device disposed within the cavity, the at least one
forward-urging positioning device being adapted to urge the mobile
device forward against the front side so as to securely and
removably hold the mobile device within the open shell; and an
attachment mechanism disposed on the back side of the open shell
capable of attaching the open shell to a garment.
[0019] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes an
extended clip disposed along the top of the back side of the open
shell.
[0020] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes at
least one belt loop attached to the back side of the open
shell.
[0021] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a
patch of a hook and loop material attached to the back side of the
open shell.
[0022] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a pin
and pin receiver attached to the back side of the open shell.
[0023] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a
plurality of permanent magnets attached to the back side of the
open shell.
[0024] Another general aspect of the invention is a universal
mobile device holster including: an open shell having a front side,
and a back side, which together define a cavity with an opening
adapted to receive a mobile device; at least one forward-urging
positioning device disposed within the cavity, the at least one
forward-urging positioning device being adapted to urge the mobile
device forward against the front side so as to securely and
removably hold the mobile device within the open shell; and
non-slip material attached to at least the back side of the open
shell for resisting removal of the universal mobile device holster
from a pocket of a garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will be more fully understood from the
following Detailed Description, in conjunction with the following
figures, wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1A is a perspective opaque front view of an embodiment
of the universal mobile device holster;
[0027] FIG. 1B is a perspective transparent front view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the spring attached inside;
[0028] FIG. 2A is a perspective opaque back view of the embodiment
of FIG. 1A;
[0029] FIG. 2B is a perspective transparent back view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2A, showing the spring of FIG. 1B;
[0030] FIG. 3A is an opaque side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A
and 2A;
[0031] FIG. 3B is a transparent side view of the embodiment of FIG.
3A;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a top clip attachment device;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a pair of belt loops as the attachment device;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a patch of hook and/or loop material as the attachment
device;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having at least a patch of non-slippery material so as to maintain
the mobile device holster in a pocket of a garment;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a pin attachment device; and
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a plurality of permanent magnets as the attachment
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] FIG. 1A is a perspective opaque front view of an embodiment
of the universal mobile device holster having a back side 10 and a
front side 12, which together define a cavity having an opening
13.
[0039] FIG. 1B is a perspective transparent front view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the spring 14 attached inside, the
spring 14 being attached to the back side 10. The spring is a piece
of curved metal that is resilient, and provides enough force to
push the mobile device held within against the opposing wall of the
cavity. The spring can be lined or coated with a material, such as
fabric, rubber, or plastic, that resists slipping. Likewise, the
inner surface of the front side 12 can be coated or covered with a
material that resists slipping, such as a fabric that resists
slipping.
[0040] FIG. 2A is a perspective opaque back view of the embodiment
of FIG. 1A, again showing the back side 10 and the front side 12,
also showing the opening 13.
[0041] FIG. 2B is a perspective transparent back view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2A, showing the spring 14 of FIG. 1B.
[0042] FIG. 3A is an opaque side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A
and 2A, showing the back side 10, the front side 12, and the
opening 13.
[0043] FIG. 3B is a transparent side view of the embodiment of FIG.
3A, showing the back side 10, the front side 12, and the opening
13, as well as the spring 14.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a top clip attachment device 40 for attachment of the
universal mobile device holster to a garment, a hand bag, or to a
backpack.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a pair of belt loops 50 as the attachment device for
attaching to any garment having belt loops.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a patch of hook and/or loop material (Velcro.TM.) as the
attachment device for attaching to any garment or accessory that
can bear a patch of hook and/or loop material.
[0047] FIG. 7 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having at least a patch of non-slippery material 70 so as to
maintain the mobile device holster in a pocket of a garment.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a pin attachment device 80 for attaching the mobile holster
to any garment or accessory, such as a back pack.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment
having a plurality of permanent magnets 90 as the attachment
device, for attachment to a ferrous metal that is attached or
embedded within a garment or accessory.
[0050] Other modifications and implementations will occur to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not
intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the
following claims.
* * * * *