Patent Grant
11317701
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The invention generally relates to a lanyard attachment device and lanyard system using the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a lanyard attachment device that may be used with a handheld electronic device, such as a smartphone, so that the handheld electronic device is able to be supported from a lanyard.
There is clearly a need to carry our mobile phones with us at all times. In fact, many folks feel naked without their cell phone. Women have additional issues keeping their phones handy because they frequently have clothing without pockets, or pockets that are more decorative than functional. Women's pockets are sometimes left out of clothing, and when added to clothing are often smaller than men's pockets. Smaller pockets, or no pockets, combined with phones getting larger means that women have a tougher time keeping their phones nearby. There are also times when we have no pockets to carry a phone such as walking on the beach in a bathing suit.
Cell phones are frequently put down, forgotten about, and therefore lost or lost for a time. Losing a phone is a stressful event, since so much of our life, contacts, emails, and photos are stored in the phone. Many phones have been placed on a car roof or trunk, while loading groceries or other items in the car, leading to an unfortunate demise of the phone.
There are conventional lanyards and holders designed to hold phones or other devices. Some of these conventional holders are a stretchy rubber net that captures the phone. A shortcoming of this type of holder is that it covers some of the screen face of the phone. It also does not allow for changing of the lanyard to a more fashionable item. There also are magnetic holders to hold phones in stationary locations or on a car dash or air vent. These magnetic devices, which are typically a flat magnet mount and a flat steel plate on the phone or phone case, would not work to securely hold a phone in place at the end of a lanyard while walking or during any other activity. In addition, there are cases made with attachment points. These are a secure method of holding a phone, but require a special case that is less common.
Therefore, what is needed is a lanyard attachment device that allows someone to easily attach and carry their phone or other device on a lanyard. In addition, a lanyard attachment device is needed that allows an easy on attachment, a secure attachment, and easy off detachment for quick accessibility to the phone or other device.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a lanyard attachment device and lanyard system using the same that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a lanyard attachment device that includes a first leg portion, the first leg portion configured to be attached to a first end of a lanyard; a second leg portion, the second leg portion configured to be attached to a second end of the lanyard; and a base portion connected to the first leg portion and the second leg portion. The first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the base portion collectively define a closed-ended slot for receiving a stem portion of a device holder.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first leg portion of the lanyard attachment device comprises a first fastener aperture configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first leg portion of the lanyard attachment device to the first end of the lanyard.
In yet a further embodiment, the second leg portion of the lanyard attachment device comprises a second fastener aperture configured to receive a second fastener for attaching the second leg portion of the lanyard attachment device to the second end of the lanyard.
In still a further embodiment, at least one side of the first fastener aperture comprises a counterbore for accommodating a recessed mounting of the first fastener.
In yet a further embodiment, the counterbore comprises a serrated bottom surface for preventing a loosening of the first fastener.
In still a further embodiment, the lanyard attachment device further comprises a recess configured to accommodate a recessed mounting of a disk portion of the device holder.
In yet a further embodiment, at least one side portion of the recess is unbounded by a wall so as to facilitate a grasping and pulling of the disk portion of the device holder by a user.
In still a further embodiment, the recess is circular in shape.
In yet a further embodiment, the first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the base portion collectively form a Y-shaped body configuration.
In still a further embodiment, the lanyard attachment device further comprises a protruding finger tab portion at a bottom end of the base portion so as to facilitate a grasping of the lanyard attachment device by a user when a handheld device is being removed from the lanyard attachment device.
In accordance with one or more other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a lanyard system that includes a lanyard having a first end and a second end; and a lanyard attachment device. The lanyard attachment device includes a first leg portion, the first leg portion configured to be attached to the first end of the lanyard; a second leg portion, the second leg portion configured to be attached to the second end of the lanyard; and a base portion connected to the first leg portion and the second leg portion. The first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the base portion collectively defining a closed-ended slot for receiving a stem portion of a device holder.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first leg portion of the lanyard attachment device comprises a first fastener aperture configured to receive a first fastener for attaching the first leg portion of the lanyard attachment device to the first end of the lanyard.
In yet a further embodiment, the second leg portion of the lanyard attachment device comprises a second fastener aperture configured to receive a second fastener for attaching the second leg portion of the lanyard attachment device to the second end of the lanyard.
In still a further embodiment, at least one side of the first fastener aperture comprises a counterbore for accommodating a recessed mounting of the first fastener, the counterbore comprising a serrated bottom surface for preventing a loosening of the first fastener.
In yet a further embodiment, the lanyard attachment device further comprises a recess configured to accommodate a recessed mounting of a disk portion of the device holder.
In still a further embodiment, the recess is circular in shape, and at least one side portion of the recess is unbounded by a wall so as to facilitate a grasping and pulling of the disk portion of the device holder by a user.
In yet a further embodiment, the first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the base portion of the lanyard attachment device collectively form a Y-shaped body configuration.
In still a further embodiment, the lanyard attachment device further comprises a protruding finger tab portion at a bottom end of the base portion so as to facilitate a grasping of the lanyard attachment device by a user when a handheld device is being removed from the lanyard attachment device.
In yet a further embodiment, the lanyard attachment device is configured to couple a smartphone to the lanyard.
In still a further embodiment, the device holder comprises a hand grip holder for the smartphone, and the closed-ended slot of the base portion of the lanyard attachment device is configured to receive the stem portion of the hand grip holder.
It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the invention should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once.
An illustrative embodiment of a lanyard attachment device is seen generally at 20 in
Referring to the illustrative embodiment of
Referring to the illustrative embodiment of
Referring again to
Also, as shown in the illustrative embodiment, the lanyard attachment device 20 includes a protruding finger tab portion 30 at the bottom end of the base portion 25 so as to facilitate the grasping of the lanyard attachment device 20 by a user when the smartphone 12 and the handheld electronic device holder 14 mounted thereon is being removed from the lanyard attachment device 20 (see
Now, with reference to
As such, it is readily apparent that the lanyard attachment device 20 works well with a popular phone attachment, namely the handheld electronic device holder 14 (e.g., such as those known as the PopSockets®). The lanyard attachment device 20, which is in the form of saddle clip, is also able to work with a custom disk attached to the back of a phone, or built into a phone case, with a similar up/down motion for locking in place. The lanyard attachment device 20 described herein takes advantage of features of the handheld electronic device holder 14 that were meant for other purposes (e.g., for finger or hand holding of the phone, and for collapsing the holder 14 for compactness). As explained above, the handheld electronic device holder 14 or another device is placed in an extended position to slide into the lanyard attachment device 20. Closing the disk portion of the handheld electronic device holder 14 or other device locks the phone 12 in place on the lanyard attachment device 20, and provides additional attachment security (see e.g.,
Advantageously, the lanyard attachment device 20 provides a lead-in to easily guide the cell phone 12 into place. This lead-in has a stop or saddle bottom (i.e., the closed end of slot 26), which prevents release of the device in this downward direction. The lanyard attachment device 20 provides features that prevent side-to-side motion or release in the side-to-side direction. Once the mating component is moved, compressed, pushed down, or by other action engaged, the additional features on the lanyard attachment device 20 prevent removal of the device from the lanyard 10 in the direction of loading, as well as side-to-side or up-down. Once engaged or locked in place, the lanyard attachment device 20 prevents accidental dropping even if the lanyard attachment device 20 is turned upside down.
In one or more other embodiments, the lanyard attachment device 20 may be used independently as a holding device without a lanyard 10. The lanyard attachment device 20 could be attached to or made part of a purse, an article of clothing, or be built into a car dash holder, car vent holder, or desk phone holder.
The lanyard 10 that attaches to the lanyard attachment device 20 can be in many different forms. The lanyard 10 can be hung from the neck, or longer in a cross-body type, or hung from the waist, hip, or belt area. The lanyard 10 can contain printing, including advertising or other messages or logos. The lanyard 10 can be a fashion item, with different materials, colors, shapes and form factors to match a desired look. The lanyard 10 and lanyard attachment device 20 can be made of a sterilizable material so it can be used in medical or hospital settings. The lanyard 10 can be a fixed length or adjustable to fit different body shapes, sizes, and preferences. The lanyard 10 can be easily swapped with another lanyard 10 as the connection mechanism to the solid lanyard attachment device 20 can be simple screws, rivets, knotted connection, or snaps. The lanyard attachment device 20 may be made of numerous materials including, but not limited to plastics or metals. The preferred embodiment for the lanyard attachment device 20 is strong plastic. This allows for low cost as well as preventing the scratching of a phone 12 or other device being held. The lanyard attachment device 20 also could be made of metal, rubber, or other suitable rigid materials.
In one or more other embodiments, the lanyard attachment device 20 is a passive element and the mating attachment piece on the back of the phone 12 or other device is an active element with motion toward and away from the phone 12. The motion away from the device opens a gap to accept the lanyard attachment device 20. This mating piece can also be a spring-loaded part that flexes to allow the lanyard attachment device 20 into position, and springs back to hold the lanyard attachment device 20. The motion toward the phone 12 captures the lanyard attachment device 20, thus preventing the phone 12 from falling out.
In one or more other embodiments, the phone 12 is able to freely rotate while being securely held on the lanyard attachment device 20 and lanyard 10. This rotation is a unique feature. This allows the phone 12 to be utilized even while on the lanyard 10. Someone could hold up the phone 12 and take a photo in landscape or portrait positions. The phone 12 also can be held up to view texts, or other information in landscape or portrait positions. The phone 12 can also be held up to the ear and used as a phone 12 while still connected. Because the lanyard 10 is attached to the back of the phone 12, it allows full access to the screen with no corners or edges being blocked. The phone 12 can be held on the lanyard 10 so the screen is toward the individual, maintaining privacy and protecting the screen. For example, as shown in
In one or more other embodiments, the back of the lanyard attachment device 20 that is in contact with the phone 12 is smooth or has minimal features to prevent scratching of the phone surface. The smooth surface also aids the phone 12 insertion and removal out of the lanyard attachment device 20. Any connection points to connect to the lanyard 10 are preferably recessed to prevent scratching of the phone 12, and to avoid any catch points that would make insertion and removal of the phone 12 more difficult.
In one or more other embodiments, the lanyard attachment device 20 may be used to hold other small handheld devices, wallets, purses, cases, etc. This can work for most anything that needs to be kept handy and that may not fit in a pocket, or when a pocket is unavailable. Other small items that need to be handy and could be held securely with this lanyard attachment device 20 include, but are not limited to e-cigarettes, vape devices, cameras, keys, video and audio recorders, golf tracking devices, golf items, tools, tool kits, medical devices, medical monitors, location trackers, pagers, fall detectors, sunglasses, glasses, keys, remote controls, wallets, purses, change purses, badges, and medicine delivery devices. Also, in addition to phones, the lanyard attachment device 20 may be used to hold many other types of mobile communication devices, such as walkie talkies, police radio type of devices, warehouse worker's communication devices, etc.
It is readily apparent that the aforedescribed lanyard attachment device 20 offers numerous advantages. First, the lanyard attachment device 20 allows someone to easily attach and carry their phone 12 on a lanyard 10. In addition, the lanyard attachment device 20 allows an easy on attachment, a secure attachment, and easy off detachment for quick accessibility to the phone 12.
Advantageously, the aforedescribed lanyard 10 and lanyard attachment device 20 provides a convenient method of carrying a cell phone or other small electronic device or item that you want close by, but not in a pocket. Also, advantageously, the lanyard attachment device 20 works with a popular holder device (e.g., PopSockets®) that is already on the back of many phones. Thus, lanyard attachment device 20 described herein results in an easy method to securely and fashionably hold a phone.
In addition, the lanyard 10 can be used to hold additional items that an individual carries or wants on a frequent basis. For example, the lanyard 10 may have further attachment points or devices to hold a license, identification (ID) cards, credit cards or cash, or to hold glasses or sunglasses, keys or other entry cards or devices, pens, pencils or other writing implements, e-cigarettes, cartridges, cigarettes, other smoking devices or paraphernalia, lighters, lip-balm, lip-stick, medical instruments, medications, cough drops, eye drops, contact lenses, pills, cologne, perfume, makeup, a breath freshener, a mini mirror, personal protective device or devices, and/or toothbrush and toothpaste. Thus, the lanyard 10 can conveniently hold a number of items that individuals want to carry with them. These types of items are smaller and are often misplaced by putting them down and forgetting the location. The lanyard may be slim with built-in quick attachment points, or quick release devices to easily add an item or remove an item. The lanyard may also be wider and have built-in pockets to hold these items. The pockets could be zipper pockets, or simple open pockets, or stretchy material pockets to firmly hold these items in place. The pockets may also have a clear window for easy viewing of a license or other forms of identification (ID).
Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claim(s) in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the claim(s) and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application No. 29/702,249, entitled “Lanyard Attachment Device”, filed on Aug. 17, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210045516 A1 | Feb 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29702249 | Aug 2019 | US |
| Child | 16892506 | US |
