Patent Application
20120217275
The present invention pertains to wrist-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s).
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.
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.
In one aspect, systems and methods are disclosed to convenient carry a mobile device, among other devices, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case to enclose the mobile device, the case having first and second ends; a wrist brace tether coupled to the first end of the case; and a finger tether coupled to the second end of the case.
Implementations of the systems may include one or more of the following. A finger ring can be worn on a finger and secured to the finger tether. A wrist brace can be worn on a wrist and slidably connected to the wrist base tether. One end of the wrist brace tether can be a ring securing the wrist brace to the case. The case can include a lockable lid to enclose the mobile device inside the case when the lid is closed and to provide access to the mobile device when the lid is opened. A pin can be inserted into the case to secure a mobile device housing to the case. A purse can be rotatably attached to the wrist brace. An identification card enclosure can be rotatably attached to the wrist brace. The wrist brace can be a wrist band and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist band. The wrist brace can be a pad or a band with loops mounted on one side and adapted to a second pad or band with hooks on the other side of the wrist brace. The wrist brace can be a pad or band with Velcro or suitable loop and hook attachments mounted on one side and adapted to a second band with suitable loop and hook attachments on the other side of the wrist brace. The wrist brace can be pivotably and rotatably coupled to the first end of the case. A mobile device housing can be attached to the case. An unlockable pin can be used to secure the mobile device housing to the case while allowing the mobile device housing to move to a landscape position or a vertical position.
In another aspect, a method of carrying a mobile device includes inserting the mobile device into a case with first and second ends; attaching the first end of the case to a wrist attachment; and hanging the mobile device from the wrist attachment.
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.
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).
A wrist brace 116 is worn on a wrist of the user. The brace 116 slidably engages the wrist base tether 110 to allow movement of the case 104. In one embodiment, the wrist brace tether 110 forms a loop around the wrist brace 116 and the loop can slide around the brace 116.
In one embodiment, one end of the wrist brace tether 110 is attached to a ring 118 to secure the wrist brace 116 to the first end 106 of the case 104. The ring is rotatably attached to the case 104 to allow the case 104 to swivel if needed.
The case 104 includes a lockable lid 120 to enclose the mobile device housing 102 inside the case 104 when the lid 120 is closed and to provide access to the mobile device 102 when the lid 120 is opened. A rivet 122 with an unlockable pin is provided on the case 104 to secure the mobile device housing 102 to the case 104. The rivet 122 allows the mobile device housing 102 to be rotatably attached to the case 104, as shown in more details in
The wrist brace 116 wraps around the user's wrist as shown in
The apparatus described above provides for an efficient and convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personal electronic device, purse, and/or ID cards that can be 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.
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.
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.
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. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
