U.S. patent application number 16/922264 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-14 for magnetically attached holster and methods of manufacturing and using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kenneth O'Hanlon. Invention is credited to Kenneth O'Hanlon.
Application Number | 20210007471 16/922264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004960275 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210007471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Hanlon; Kenneth |
January 14, 2021 |
MAGNETICALLY ATTACHED HOLSTER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND
USING SAME
Abstract
A holster includes a first plate having at least one recess, a
second plate having at least one protruding member, the at least
one protruding member being aligned with the at least one recess,
and a coupling member for securing at least a portion of a mobile
device.
Inventors: |
O'Hanlon; Kenneth; (Holmdel,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O'Hanlon; Kenneth |
Holmdel |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004960275 |
Appl. No.: |
16/922264 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62872438 |
Jul 10, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
2200/0516 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20060101
A45F005/02 |
Claims
1. A holster comprising: a first plate having at least one recess;
a second plate having at least one protruding member, the at least
one protruding member being aligned with the at least one recess;
and a coupling member for securing at least a portion of a mobile
device.
2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess
comprises two circular recesses.
3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess
comprises three circular recesses.
4. The holster of claim 1, wherein the at least one protruding
member comprises two protruding members.
5. The holster of claim 1, wherein the at least one protruding
member and the at least one recess are of a same quantity.
6. The holster of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one
protruding member is magnetic.
7. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a ferromagnetic
component coupled to the first plate.
8. The holster of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic component is
disposed adjacent the at least one recess.
9. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second
plate are of a same shape.
10. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second
plate are generally rectangular.
11. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second
plate are of a same size.
12. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second
plate are made of plastic.
13. The holster of claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a
clip that grips a portion of a mobile device.
14. The holster of claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a
second wall and a partial circumferential border that forms a
pocket for receiving at least a portion of a mobile device.
15. The holster of claim 14, wherein the pocket is made of
leather.
16. The holster of claim 14, wherein the pocket is made of a
fabric.
17. The holster of claim 14, wherein the pocket is made of a
synthetic material.
18. The holster of claim 14, further comprising a magnetic shield
overlying the protruding members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to 62/872,438 filed Jul.
10, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety as if full set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to holsters for holding
objects, such as mobile phones. More specifically, the present
disclosure relates to holsters that provide better securement of
objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Mobile phones and similar objects are often carried in
pockets or purses and their glass displays may be scratched or
cracked as a result. Additionally, certain mobile phones are too
large or bulky to fit in pockets. Other users will carry a mobile
phone on a belt clip, but these clips are difficult to quickly
access and are limited by where the belt clip can be attached.
Moreover, these clips cannot be properly mounted on all clothes,
and may be easily decoupled. Finally, if a user does not have
pockets or a purse, they will be forced to carry their device in
their hand, which limits their productivity while leaving the
device vulnerable to damages. All of these solutions have their
drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In some embodiments, a holster includes a first plate having
at least one recess, a second plate having at least one protruding
member, the at least one protruding member being aligned with the
at least one recess, and a coupling member for securing at least a
portion of a mobile device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] Various embodiments of the presently disclosed holsters are
described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a first plate;
[0007] FIG. 1B is a schematic front view of a second plate
[0008] FIG. 1C is a schematic perspective view of a holster having
a first plate, a second plate and coupling member including a
pocket;
[0009] FIG. 1D is a schematic perspective view of the holster of
FIG. 1C as it holds a mobile phone; and
[0010] FIGS. 2A-C illustrate yet another embodiment of a
holster.
[0011] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be
appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the
invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its
scope.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Despite the various improvements that have been made to
device carrying cases, conventional methods and devices suffer
felons some shortcomings as described above.
[0013] There therefore is a need for further improvements to the
devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing and using device
carrying cases. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may
address one or more of these needs.
[0014] In some embodiments, a movable holster is described which
may be located in an area convenient to the user. The holster may
be a wearable light-weight device for carrying a device, such as a
cell phone to any fabric through the use of magnets. In addition to
being light-weight the disclosed product will also be better
secured to fabric, and will not allow a foreign object to pry apart
or dislodge the carrying case.
[0015] In some embodiments, a flat-ridged back plate sized the same
or slightly larger than a flat-ridged front plate will attach
magnetically, with fabric in between. This forms a tight sandwich
difficult to pry apart. Specifically, in one example, a holster may
include a flat-ridged back plate of rectangular shape made of light
weight material, such as plastic, with a ferromagnetic plate below
of at least 1 female recessed member, and a top plate of similar
shape and/or size or slightly smaller with protruding magnet(s)
(male members) to fit into the female section of the back
plate.
[0016] In some embodiments, a holster 10 includes a first plate or
back plate 102 (FIG. 1A). The first plate 102 may be generally
rectangular in shape as shown, and may have rounded or curved edges
103. In at least some examples, the first plate may be of a
different shape (e.g., square, circular, oval, etc.). First plate
102 may be generally flat, and may have formed of a light-weight
material, such as plastic, a metal, or wood. First plate 102 may
include a plurality of recesses 104a,104b. In some examples,
recesses 104a,104b may be generally circular as shown.
Alternatively, recesses 104a,104b may be square-shaped,
rectangular, or some other shape. As shown, two recesses are shown,
but a single recess, or multiple recesses (e.g., two, three, four,
five, etc.) may be formed in first plate 102. One or more
ferromagnetic plate 106a,106b may be coupled, adhered or affixed to
first plate 102. In at least some examples, ferromagnetic plates
106a,106b may be disposed adjacent recesses 104a,104b.
[0017] Holster 10 may also include front plate or second plate 202,
formed of a shape and/or size that is similar to first plate 102
(FIG. 1B). Second plates 202 may also be formed of a same material
as first plate 102. In at least some examples, second plate 202
includes a pair of protruding members 204a,204b. In at least some
examples, these protruding members 204a,204b are magnetic elements
that are coupled, affixed or otherwise adhered to second plate. It
will be understood that second plate 202 may include a single
protruding member or a plurality of protruding members (e.g., two,
three, four, five or six protruding members). The protruding
members may be of a same shape and/or size as recesses 104a,104b,
and they may be aligned so that each protruding members lines up
with a corresponding recess 204. In addition to having a magnetic
coupling between protruding members 204 and ferromagnetic plate(s)
106, protruding members 204 may also fit within recesses 104 to
form a male-female connection with at least a portion of the
protruding member being fit (e.g., friction fit) within the recess
104. A coupling member 250 may be attached to second plate 202 or
otherwise incorporated in the second plate. In at least some
examples, this coupling member 250 is a pocket that includes a
second wall spaced from the second plate 202 and includes a
partially circumferentially border 251 that joins the two
components except for the top so that an opening 252 is formed
(FIG. 1C). The opening may be sized to receive at least a portion
of a mobile device "P" (FIG. 1D). In at least some examples, the
coupling member is a clip that grips a portion of the mobile
device.
[0018] In at least some example, first plate 102 is slightly larger
than second plate 202 to prevent foreign objects from getting under
the second plate 202. Additionally, the two plates may be
sandwiched together tightly with no room for another object to fit
therebetween. This may prevent an object from catching the
underneath part of the second plate and prying it off the first
plate. Thus, the configuration may prevent unintended dislodging of
the holster and enables the system to use lower strength magnets to
insure coupling. Lower strength magnets may be lighter in weight
thus preventing tugging and sagging of the fabric. Additionally,
lower strength magnets may also reduce cost.
[0019] In some examples, a method of manufacturing a holster 10
includes forming a first plate 102 by molding or cutting it to an
appropriate shape (e.g., rectangular). First plate may be between
1/16 and 1/2 inch in thickness and may have a ridge around its
perimeter. In some examples, first plate 102 may be formed of a
plastic or wood. One or more recesses 104a,104b may drilled or cut
into the first plate and aligned along its central axis. One or
more ferromagnetic pieces or plate may be attached or coupled
adjacent the recesses 104a,104b. Second plate 202 may be molded or
cut of similar material into a size that is equal to or slightly
smaller than the first plate. A number of protruding members 202
(e.g., magnets) may be attached, adhered, or otherwise coupled to
second plate 202 along its central axis (e.g., halfway between the
two side edges). Protruding members 204a,204b may be of the same
shape and/or size (or slightly smaller) than the recesses, so that
the recesses 104 can accept the protruding members 204a,204b
therein. In at least some examples, the number of protruding
members is the same as the number of recesses. Alternatively, the
number of protruding members is less than the number of
recesses.
[0020] In this manner, the first and the second plate may be
coupled together via magnetic attraction between the protruding
members and the ferromagnetic components, and possible friction
between the protruding member and the sidewalls of the recesses. In
some examples, a rubber layer may be disposed on either all or some
of the protruding members, within all or some of the recesses, or
both to increase grip between the two components. In some examples,
the rubber or non-skid, non-slip or gripping material may be
applied to the back plate, the bottom of the recess, the protruding
members and/or the front plate. In some examples, the material may
be applied on a side that contacts the material sandwiched between
the two plates. Thus, the non-skid material may be applied to a
variety of components as described. In some examples, a magnetic
shield may be placed between the magnetic protruding members and
the object being carried to prevent damages from the magnets.
[0021] In a second example, a holster 30 may be formed of three
components, including a backplate 302 having recesses 304a,304b and
ferromagnetic plates 306a,306b, a front plate 312 having protruding
members 314a,314b on one side that faces and aligns with backplate
302, and a plurality of clips 315 on an opposite side. As shown,
three clips 315 are disposed on the face of front plate 312, at the
top and at each of the two side edges of the rectangular perimeter.
A protective material (e.g., cloth) and/or magnetic shield 316 may
also be disposed on the face of front plate 312 on the side that
will face the mobile device. Finally, a case 322 having, for
example, an aperture 323 may be attached to the mobile device such
that when the device is inserted into the case 322, the display of
the device faces the protective material 316, and the case 322 can
be slid into the front plate from the bottom to be secured to front
plate 312 via clips 315. The front plate 312, in turn, is secured
to backplate 302 via the magnetic protruding members and the
recesses. It will be understood that variations of this are
possible. For example, case 322 and front plate 312 may be
integrated.
[0022] Thus, a holster 10 for a cellphone or other object(s) to be
placed anywhere on an article of clothing or fabric case such as a
pocketbook may be formed, and the holster may be secured at a
convenient and safe location. For example, the holster may be used
on the front or side of a pant leg or on a jacket or shirt. Thus,
the device can allow the user to choose their preferred accessible
location that suits their needs.
[0023] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invent
on as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and
the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways
than presented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated
that the features described in connection with individual
embodiments may be shared with others of the described
embodiments.
* * * * *