Patent Application
20160183667
1. Field
Example embodiments in general are directed to a combination and support device for securing a handheld object to a user or structure. More particularly, the example embodiments relate to a combination comprising one of an arm band, article holder, strap, and mount, each with an elastomeric support attached thereto or integral therewith for securing the handheld object therein, the combination being securable to a user or structure.
2. Related Art
Handheld objects such as wallets, credit cards, identification badges and particularly portable electronic devices such as smart phones, PDAs, tablets, music/mp3 players and cameras are becoming ever more popular with users. Due to the portable nature of these objects, they can be placed in pockets of jackets, coats, pants or shirts in order to carry them around. However, this mode of transportation causes the objects to be susceptible to unintentionally dropping or to be otherwise separated from the user or their gear. This is especially the case as objects such as portable electronic devices grow in size so as to provide larger viewing screens.
Even where a handheld object is protected by a sturdy case or holder, damage or loss may still occur if it is dropped. The handheld object may fall out of a user's pocket with the user being unaware, thereby leading to loss thereof. Also, when a user engages in sporting activities such as skiing, mountain biking, running or boating, for example, if the handheld object were to become inadvertently separated from the user or their gear, it could easily become lost for good.
Certain attachment devices are known in the prior art for securing handheld objects such as mobile devices and the like to users. These attachment devices typically include straps that require a dedicated opening in the handheld object or case in order to allow the strap to be attached. However, as many current handheld objects lack this feature, it becomes difficult to attach a securing strap. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a device permitting a handheld object to be safely secured to the user, their gear, or to another member to which they wish to secure the handheld object.
An example embodiment is directed to a combination comprising a first member and a flexible, elastomeric support for retaining a handheld object. The support includes a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to a portion of the first member and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, with each corner segment extending from the central portion.
Another example embodiment is directed to a combination comprising an article configured for attachment to another external member, and a flexible, elastomeric support attached to a portion of the article for retaining a handheld object. The support includes a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to the article and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, each corner segment extending from the central portion.
Another example embodiment is directed to a combination comprising a holder for supporting an article therein and a flexible, elastomeric support attached to a portion of the holder for retaining a handheld object. The support includes a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to the holder and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, with each corner segment extending from the central portion.
Another example embodiment is directed to a combination comprising a strap for attachment to an external member and a flexible, elastomeric support attached to a portion of the strap for retaining a handheld object. The support includes a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to the strap and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, with each corner segment extending from the central portion.
Another example embodiment is directed to a flexible, elastomeric support for holding an object therein comprising a body including a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first outer surface and a second inner surface adapted to receive the object thereon. The body further includes a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the object. Each corner segment extends from the central flat portion and is oriented at an upward inclining angle relative to a horizontal plane of the central portion.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various example embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the example embodiments of the present disclosure.
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”
Reference throughout this specification to “one example embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “correspond,” “corresponds,” and “corresponding” are intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of “correspond” or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
As will be seen in more detail hereafter, the example embodiments are directed to a combination arm band member and elastomeric support attached thereto for securing a handheld object therein, the combination being securable to a user.
For purposes of explanation only, the article is hereafter described as an arm band member 30, it being understood that the article may alternatively be embodied as a holder for an article other than the handheld object or a strap adapted for attachment to an external member. The external member may be embodied, for example, as any of a human appendage, gear, clothing, and a portion of a piece of exercise equipment, a cylindrically-shaped article or another geometrically-shaped structure.
The support 20 is configured to be stretched repeatedly for easy installation, use and removal from the handheld object 40. The elastomeric properties thereof allow the support 20 to return to a resting state on its arm band member 30 when not attached to the object 40. In an example, the material may be stretched in all directions an equal amount.
The body 21 of support 20 may be attached to the arm band member 30 via a suitable stitching, heat sealing and/or adhesive (represented by element 28) between first surface 23 and a portion of the arm band member 30. In another example, the support 20 may be molded in as an integral part of the arm band member 30.
The arm band member 30 may be composed of a neoprene material with or without vinyl, and may include hook and loop closures such as Velcro patches 31. The slit 32 through which the tab end 33 of the band member 30 extends through so as to be flipped over for Velcro patch 31 surface connections (as is known) may be reinforced with a polypropylene ring (not shown), for example.
The body 21 of support 20 further includes a plurality of corner segments 25 adapted to capture respective corners 41 of the handheld object 40. Of note, and as best shown in
Accordingly, and as best shown in
The combination 10 is thus designed for use with the handheld object 40, including but not limited to portable electronic devices such as a smart phone, a tablet-style computer, an mp3 player, a PDA, a camera, an electronic book or document reader (an “e-reader”) and like electronic devices, or other plan-form shaped objects whether electronic or not, such as wallets, credit cards, identification badges, and the like. Generally, these handheld objects 40, if embodied as a portable electronic device, typically include a smooth solid rear surface 43 and a front surface 44 that includes a display with or without a keyboard, a touch-screen interface, or other type of surface that can be viewed or otherwise interacted with by a user.
In the example embodiments shown and described in the figures, the object 40 is a smart phone and hereafter will be referred to as “smart phone 40”. The rear surface 43 of the smart phone 40 may be embodied as a smooth planar metal or plastic surface that includes no features to assist in holding the smart phone 40.
The support 20 of combination 10 is configured to capture all four corners 41 of the smart phone 40 to simultaneously provide protection for the front surface 44 and to support the rear surface 43 on central flat portion 22. As mentioned above, the support 20 is composed of a firm but elastomeric material allowing a user to easily attach the support 20 to the smart phone 40, while providing sufficient tension to hold the smart phone 40 against the arm band member 30, which in turn may encircle a user 50's appendage 52 as shown in
The support 20 is applied to the smart phone 40 by engaging each of the corners 41 of the smart phone 40 into the openings 26 of the support 20, as best shown in
When engaged with the four corners 41 of the smart phone 40 and with the arm band member 30 attached to the user 50, the combination 10 provides for hands-free support of the smart phone 40. The user 50 is thus free from having to rely on a flat hard surface, such as a table, countertop, or lap, to support the smart phone 40. The combination 10 enables the user 50 to employ the smart phone 40 in a variety of positions, which greatly expands the universe of uses to which the smart phone 40 can be applied. With the secure combination 10 the user can now safely, confidently, and comfortably securely transport the smart phone 40 while in sitting, lying down, walking and even running positions, previously made impractical or impossible without the combination 10.
The elastomeric material's properties, elasticity, and dimensions permit the support 20 to be stretched so as to provide a secure fit when attached to the smart phone 40. The support 20 can be made of a variety of materials provided these materials have the elastomeric attributes and characteristics so that the necessary security is provided, ensuring reliable support over the corner-anchor points. The material is easily gripped to provide traction for the user's hand. The material is such that tactile engagement with the user's hand is gentle and comfortable. The material may have a tacky, gummy, or otherwise subtle adhesive quality to prevent the smart phone 40 from slipping from the user's grip.
In one example, the elastomeric material may be silicone or rubber. Other types of suitable elastomeric materials such as styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, other pliable plastics, other synthetic polymers and the like may be used in the manufacture of support 20. The support 20 may be formed via a two-part injection molding or compression molding process, for example.
In an example, the elastomeric material of support 20 may be a silicone polymer with silica or equivalent elastomeric material having shore hardness in the range of between approximately 10 Å to 50 Å, with 35 Å being preferable. This shore hardness provides a support 20 that is secure enough to prevent it from coming detached from the smart phone 40.
By using an elastomeric material, the risk of injury to the user is eliminated and the risk of failure at connection points is reduced. There are no dangerous metal components that could snap-back and scratch the user 50 or the smart phone 40. In particular, there are no metal components that could come into contact with the more fragile front active surface 44 of the smart phone 40. Using a single, elastomeric, unitary support 20 also prevents failures at the points of transition from one material to another.
The support 20 can be easily applied to virtually any smart phone 40 or other handheld object needing such a support system, regardless of the make, model, or dimensions thereof. Because of the way the material stretches, the support 20 can accommodate a wide range of sizes. Due to the manner in which the support 20 engages the corners 41 of a smart phone 40, with the strap segments 27 looping over each of the corresponding corners 41, the support 20 can be adjusted to the requirements of individual makes and models of smart phones 40 so as not to obstruct key switches or ports.
Accordingly, support 20 is self-contained, unitary and non-intrusive in that nothing needs to be modified, configured, added or altered on the smart phone 40 in order to attach, use, remove or re-attach it to the combination 10. More particularly, the support 20 is configured to cover only a small portion of front surface 44 edges and sidewalls 45 of the smart phone 40, allowing the user 50 to easily access various external ports, switches or inputs thereon.
Although various smart phone 40 manufacturers have differing specifications for where external connection ports are located, the support 20 is configured to allow the user 50 to access the various ports. In addition, the openings 26 and strap segments 27 which make up the corner segments 25 of support 20 are configured to be adjustable to accommodate different locations of input receptacles, ports and switches on different handheld objects 40. This is possible because of the elastomeric qualities of the support 20. The strap segments 27 can easily be slid further on or further off the corners 41 to provide access to these inputs. Alternatively, the strap segments 27 may be used to cover a switch, such as a power switch, to prevent the switch from being inadvertently engaged.
The size and shape of the openings 26, the dimensions of the arm band member 30 and support 20, and the upwardly inclined angles of curvature of the corner segments 25 can each be varied independently to change the appearance of the support 20. The shapes of the opening 26 and the corresponding strap segments 27 are ornamental and cosmetic in nature. For example, the radius of curvature can be varied, and it can be varied among the openings 26 or varied within the same opening 26. As can be seen in the various example embodiments described herein, the function of the support 20 is not determinative of the shape of these features.
Referring to
In an example, the support 20 may be molded in as an integral part of the holder 70, as previously discussed. A rear 43 or front surface 44 of an object such as smart phone 40 is adapted to be placed on the front surface 24 of the support 20 with the planar portion of rear or front surfaces 43, 44 of the smart phone 40 abutting the central portion 22 of support 20, and with corners 41 of the smart phone 40 captured within openings 26 of the four corner elements 25, the strap segments 27 thereof overlapping a small portion of the side wall 45 and front surface 44 of the smart phone 40 at each corner 41 thereof, as previously described. As best shown in
As previously noted, holder 70 includes a front surface 72 on which may be provided a hook and loop closure mechanism, such as a Velcro patch (obscured, not shown), to engage another hook and loop closure (Velcro patch, obscured) on an inner surface of articulating flap 74, as is known, so as to fixedly secure the bottle 60 therein.
A rear 43 or front surface 44 of an object such as smart phone 40 is adapted to be placed on the front surface 24 of the support 20 with the planar portion of rear or front surfaces 43, 44 of the smart phone 40 abutting the central portion 22 of support 20, and with each of the corners 41 of the smart phone 40 captured within corresponding openings 26 of the four corner elements 25, the strap segments 27 thereof overlapping a small portion of the side wall 45 and front surface 44 of the smart phone 40 at each corner 41 thereof, as previously described. As best shown in
The configuration shown in
Referring to
Similar to previous embodiments, a rear 43 or front surface 44 of an object such as smart phone 40 is adapted to be placed on the front surface 24 of the support 20 with the planar portion of rear or front surfaces 43, 44 of the smart phone 40 abutting the central portion 22 of support 20. The four (4) corners 41 of the smart phone 40 are captured within openings 26 of the four corner elements 25, the strap segments 27 thereof overlapping a small portion of the side wall 45 and front surface 44 of the smart phone 40 at each corner 41 thereof, as previously described. As in previous embodiments, with the support 20 in a disengaged configuration or resting state, each corner segment 25 is curled upward relative to the horizontal plane of the central portion 22.
The rear structure mount 96 includes a stretchable, elastomeric portion including one or more apertures 97 therein for accommodating varying diameter structures. A given hole 97 is configured to receive or engage a lock tab 98 formed on an opposite flap of the rear mount 96, as shown, in order to secure combination 10′″ to a structure. In one example, flaps of the rear mount 96 are adapted to be placed over and/or around a cylindrically-shaped object or structure (although not limited to this geometric orientation of structure) such as a handle bar 99, for example. The configuration shown in
The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
Moreover, though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
