Portable entertainment device

Abstract

A portable entertainment device is disclosed. The entertainment device comprises a front side, a back side, a top side having a display adapted to display a plurality of indicia, and a securing mechanism operatively connected to the entertainment device so that the display is visible to the user when in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally is directed to a portable entertainment device, and in particular, to such a device with a display which is visible to a user when the device is in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's technological world, smaller is better. This is especially true with respect to portable entertainment devices like MP3 players where size and weight play a major role in a consumer's decision to purchase a particular device. These devices usually have a display on the front which displays a variety of indicia related to the type of device, such as radio frequency, track number, etc. They also often include a mechanism which allows the device to be secured to a person so he or she does not have to carry the device in his or her hands. This is especially helpful during activities such as exercising. Typically, the securing mechanism is either a clip that affixes to a person's belt or clothing, or an armband that allows a person to wear the device on his or her upper arm. However, when secured in such a manner, the display of the device is no longer visible to the user. In order to see the display, the user must either remove the device from his or her person or reposition it such that the display can be seen. This is not only impractical, but the additional handling of the device adds to its wear and tear. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable entertainment device that overcomes these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable entertainment device is disclosed. The device has a front side, a back side, a top side having a display, the display being adapted to display a plurality of indicia, and a securing mechanism operatively connected to the entertainment device and adapted to secure the entertainment device to a user such that the display is visible to a user when the device is secured thereto. The securing mechanism may comprise a band defining an axis, the axis being generally parallel to the back side of the entertainment device, the securing mechanism being adapted to secure the entertainment device to an upper arm portion of the user such that the back side of the entertainment device is positioned adjacent the upper arm portion of the user and the indicia displayed on the display is visible from a direction that is generally parallel to the axis of the band. The band may comprise expandable material movable between a relaxed state and a stretched state, wherein the relaxed diameter of the band is less than the diameter of a user's upper arm and the stretched diameter is greater than the diameter of a user's upper arm. The securing mechanism may also or alternatively comprise a clip. The plurality of indicia may comprise at least one of a radio frequency, a radio station name, a song name, a performer's name, an album name, a track number, a time of day, and a date. The entertainment device may comprise any device capable of providing audio and/or visual entertainment to a user, including without limitation a radio, a compact disc player, or an MP3 player.

A method is also disclosed. The method may comprise providing a portable entertainment device as set forth above, and positioning the entertainment device on an upper arm portion of a user. The method may also comprise providing a portable entertainment device, and securing the entertainment device to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in use;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a back plan view of the device of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a portable entertainment device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 20. In the embodiment shown, the entertainment device is an AM/FM radio, although any suitable portable entertainment device capable of providing audio and/or visual entertainment could be used, including without limitation a CD player or MP3 player.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the entertainment device 20 includes a back side 22 and a top side 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the top side 24 includes a display 26 for displaying a variety of indicia related to the type of device. In the case of the device 20, such indicia may include a radio station's name and/or frequency, a song name, a performer's name, an album name, a track number, a time of day and/or a date.

A securing mechanism is operatively connected to the entertainment device 20 for securing the entertainment device to a user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the securing mechanism comprises a band 30 of expandable material that is moveable between a relaxed state and a stretched state. The band 30 is connected to the entertainment device 20 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. In particular, the band forms a loop 32 having an axis 34 which is generally parallel to the back side 22 of the entertainment device 20. The user can then place the band around his or her upper arm as shown in FIG. 1. The securing mechanism, however, may be any mechanism capable of securing the device to a person, such as a clip 36 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 that allows the entertainment device 20 to be secured to the user such that the display is visible while in use. In the case of the entertainment device 20 shown in the figures, it may also includes an AM/FM switch 40 (FIG. 4), an On/Off switch 42, a frequency selector 44 (FIG. 5) and a headphone jack 46 (FIG. 3).

In use, the entertainment device 20 is secured to an upper arm portion of a user, as shown in FIG. 1, by stretching the band 30 of expandable material from the relaxed state to a stretched state thereby allowing the band to be placed around the user's upper arm. With such a configuration, the display 26 is visible to the user from a direction 50 as shown in FIG. 3 when the device is in use.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, while the entertainment device is shown as a radio and the indicia displayed on the display corresponds to the radio frequency to which the device is tuned, it is to be understood that other types of entertainment devices may be used and other types of indicia may be displayed without departing from this invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A portable entertainment device, comprising:

a front side;

a back side;

a top side having a display, the display being adapted to display a plurality of indicia; and

a securing mechanism operatively connected to the entertainment device and adapted to secure the entertainment device to a user such that the display is visible to a user when the device is secured to the user.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a band defining an axis, the axis being generally parallel to the back side of the entertainment device, the securing mechanism being adapted to secure the entertainment device to an upper arm portion of the user such that the back side of the entertainment device is positioned adjacent the upper arm portion of the user and the indicia displayed on the display is visible from a direction that is generally parallel to the axis of the band.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the band comprises expandable material movable between a relaxed state and a stretched state.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the upper arm portion of the user has an upper arm diameter, and wherein the relaxed diameter of the band is less than the upper arm diameter and the stretched diameter is greater than the upper arm diameter.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a clip.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicia comprises at least one of a radio frequency, a radio station name, a song name, a performer's name, a track number, a time of day, and a date.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entertainment device comprises a radio.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entertainment device comprises a compact disc player.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the entertainment device comprises an MP3 player.

10. A method comprising:

providing a portable entertainment device as set forth in claim 1; and

positioning the entertainment device on an upper arm portion of a user.

11. A method, comprising:

providing a portable entertainment device as set forth in claim 1; and securing the entertainment device to the user.