Belt or strap mount for cellular telephone or portable electronic device

Abstract

The clip-on mount attaches to a strap or belt and includes a hinged first and second clam shell or plate member. Interfacing material on interior surfaces embrace and capture the belt or strap. A plate latch closure locks on the belt/strap. A common cell phone attachment (which may also be on a personal electronic device) is on the exterior. The cell phone or personal electronic device is attached to the attachment. The method includes capturing, by compressive force, the strap or belt between two opposing plates, attaching and detaching the plates together and attaching the cell phone or device to one plate.

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting system for a cellular telephone wherein the telephone is mounted via a common cell phone attachment to a clip-on unit removably attachable to a strap or a belt. Further the system permits portable personal electronic devices to be similarly mounted on a strap or belt. Portable personal electronic devices include MP3 players, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and audio players with flash memories such as iPODs. A method of mounting is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals carry cellular telephones on or about their person. If the phone is located in the person's pocket or purse, often times it is difficult to hear the cell phone ringing. It would be beneficial if a convenient system for mounting the cell phone on a belt or a strap, such as a purse strap or backpack strap, could be designed. This type of belt or strap mount would enable the person to better hear the ringing of the phone.

Cell phone attachment systems are widely available. Pouches or “button” clip-on attachment systems are well known. Several cell phone attachment systems are: U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,576 to Godshaw; U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,340 to Chung; U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,184 to Hauck; U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,418 to Halleck; U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,348 to Wang; U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,695 to Wallace; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,954 to Dong-Joo; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,664, 292 to Chen.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a clip-on mount for a cellular telephone attachment for a strap or a belt.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a clip-on mount for the strap or belt utilizing two plates or clam shells which capture the belt or strap in between the hinged plates or clam shell members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a strap or belt mount which can be used in conjunction with a variety of cell phone attachment systems, the cell phone being further attached to the strap or belt mount by the prior art cell phone attachment system.

It is an additional object of the present invention to removably mount portable personal electronic devices to be mounted on a strap or belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The clip-on mount for a cellular telephone attachment operates in conjunction with a strap or a belt and includes a prior art cell phone attachment, a hinged first and second clam shell member or plate member. These members are hinged together and include interfacing material on the members' interior surfaces that embrace and capture the belt or strap running therethrough. A latch or closure system is provided for the clam shell members or the first and second members such that the mount is relatively removably securely attached to the strap or belt. The common cell phone attachment is mounted on one of the members. The phone is attached to the attachment. The method includes capturing, by compressive force, the strap or belt between two opposing plates, attaching and detaching the plates together and attaching the cell phone to at least one of the plates. The system also permits portable personal electronic devices to be similarly mounted on a strap or belt.

The clip-on mount can also attach a portable personal electronic device, such as an MP3 player, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital camera, and audio player with flash memories such as iPOD to be similarly mounted on a strap or belt. These personal portable electronic devices include a common clip attachment which clip attachment mates with a complimentary attachment on the body of the clip-on mount discussed in detail herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the clip-on mount attached to a strap or a belt and one of several different types of cell phone attachment mechanisms on the clip-on mount;

FIGS. 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrate the clip-on mount for the strap or belt in an open position (the members being open) and in a partially closed position, respectively;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates one type of latch or clasp or closure system for the plate or shell members;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a different type of closure system and a different type of cellular telephone attachment (the cell phone antenna being visible in FIG. 5);

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 diagrammatically illustrate the interfacing surfaces for another embodiment of the clip-on mount for the strap or belt, a partial, cross-sectional view of the interior surface and compressive material on that interfacing surface and the clip-on mount in a closed position, respectively;

FIGS. 9 and 10 diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of the clip-on mount and a cross-section of one interfacing surface of the mount, respectively; and

FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrate the interchangeability of the system to mount cell phone or other portable personal electronic devices on a strap or belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a clip-on mount for a cellular telephone attachment wherein the clip-on mount removably attaches to a strap or a belt. The present invention also relates to a method of mounting a common cellular telephone attachment to a strap or belt.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates clip-on mount 10 removably attached to belt or strap 11. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are discussed currently herein. Similar numerals designate similar items throughout the drawings.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates clip-on mount 10 in an open position with first member 12 open with respect to second member 14. The clip-on mount shown in FIGS. 2-3 shows clam shell members 12, 14.

All the clip-on mounts 10 in FIGS. 2-10 include a cell phone attachment, one of which is shown as cell phone attachment 16 in FIG. 1. Cell phone attachment 16 includes a generally U-shaped channel and a button release on end 18 of member 12. Member 14 is closed and captures, in conjunction with member 12, strap or belt 11. Other cell phone attachment mechanisms can be mounted or formed on surface 20 of member 12. Cell phone 22 is mounted on cell phone attachment system 16 as shown by arrow 24. Examples of other cell phone attachments are listed above in the Background of the Invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, members 12, 14 are hinged together via hinge 30 along side 32. Button 19 is utilized as part of the common cellular telephone attachment 16 to release cell phone 22 from the cell phone attachment 16. Other types of release mechanisms, as is known in conjunction with other cellular telephone attachment systems, can be incorporated, attached, mounted or formed on member 12. Members 12, 14 have complementary interfacing shapes and inter-fitting edge regions 40, 42 and 44, 46. A latch, clasp or closure system 50 is incorporated on complementary portions of members 12, 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a clasp 50 is utilized. Clasp 50 is on the opposite edge from hinge side 32.

The interior surface of members 12, 14 include, in a preferred embodiment, a compressible material 52, 54. Compressible material and hinge 30 permit the members 12, 14 to securely capture and stay secured to belt or strap 11. Compressible foam or other compressible material 52, 54 is compressible for two primary reasons. First, the thickness of the belt or strap can vary. The compressible material generally molds around the belt or strap. Further, the utilization of compressible material 52, 54 enables a very tight grip on the belt or strap and provides a spring fit of member 12 and member 14 about belt or strap 11. In a preferred embodiment, the compressible material is compressible foam.

Although the shape and thickness of members 12, 14 can be varied, essentially members 12, 14 define two opposing plates which are hinged together. In operation, the clip-on mount 10 is opened as shown in FIG. 12 due to the release of the latch, clasp or other closure system 50. When open, the belt or strap 11 is passed through the open plates 12, 14 and then the plates are closed and the belt or strap is captured by compressive force between opposing plates 12, 14. Closure system 50 locks the plates together. The cell phone 22 is then attached by the common cellular telephone attachment 16 (or other common cellular telephone attachments, some of which are identified in the Background of the Invention) to the clip-on mount 10.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a latch or a clasp forming closure system 50. Latch 60 includes an operator tab or interface 62, a lip 64 which coacts with a ledge 66. Ledge 66 is formed on side 68 of member 14. Operator interface 62 and lip 64 are formed on side 60 of member 12. Other closure systems may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. Latches, clasps, a small strap extending about members 12, 14, a button system or a snap system or a VELCRO or cloth hook and loop system may operate to secure members 12, 14 and capture belt or strap 11 between internal compressible surfaces 52, 54. Compressive closures other than VELCRO work best.

FIG. 5 shows a cellular telephone attachment system and a clip-on mount 10. Clip-on mount 10 includes a closure system including an extending tab 112 which coacts with a channel, cut-out or latch aperture in protruding member 114. Compressible surface 52 is mounted on member 12. Extending tab 114 is formed on member 14. Member 14 also includes interfacing compressible material 54.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, interfacing surface material 52 includes a raised land 130. Also, the interfacing material 52 is mounted on member 12. Member 12 may also have a raised land 131. With respect to plate 14, the interfacing material, preferably compressible foam, is divided into interface material segments 54a and 54b. Compressible foam segments 54a-54b are spaced apart and form a valley 129 that generally conforms and complements opposing land 130. In addition, compressible material 52 defines valleys 132, 134 on either side of raised land 130. Just as raised land 130 fits into complementary valley 129, compressible foam portions 54a, 54b complement valleys 132, 134. When a belt or strap (11 in FIG. 1) passes through and is captured by members 12, 14, a tortuous pathway is provided based upon the raised land 130 and valley 129 and the raised interfacing materials 54a, 54b disposed in complementary valleys 132, 134.

FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates that clip-on mount 10 can be attached to any available cellular telephone attachment because extending platform 210 and 212 (FIG. 6) may include mounting holes, one of which is mounting hole 220, to attach the clip-on mount 10 to the common cellular telephone attachment.

FIGS. 9 and 10 diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment wherein interface material 130a is mounted on interior surface 12a of member 12. Particularly, interface material 130a is mounted between upwardly protruding lips 13, 15 extending above interior surface 12a of member 12. Valleys 132, 134 are formed immediately above surface 12a and coact with interface material 54a, 54b mounted to opposing interior surface 14a of member 14.

FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrate the interchangeability of the system to mount cell phone or other portable personal electronic devices on a strap or belt. As used herein, the term “portable personal electronic device” includes any small, moderately light, electronic portable device carried by a person such as an MP3 player, personal digital assistant (PDA, Blackberry, etc.), digital camera, and other audio players with computer chip memories such as iPODs. the portable electronic device 310 has, attached thereto, a common cell phone attachment 314 with a button 312 or other complimentary mechanism that cooperates with cell phone attachment 16. The user can select to attach cell phone 22 or personal electronic device 310 to the strap or belt 11 via clip-on mount 10. This is shown by arrows 24 and 316.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, although a hinge 30 is shown as a pin in a pair of cylinders, the hinge may be any flexible material that permits member 12 to rotate with respect to member 14 to enable strap or belt 11 to be captured between interfacing material 52, 54. An expansive hinge permitting lateral movement of the plates away from each other may be useful. Further, although a single raised land is shown extending above interior surface 12a of member 12, multiple raised lands can be provided and used in conjunction with multiple complementary valleys in opposing member 14.

Claims

1. A clip-on mount for cellular telephone attachment to a strap or a belt comprising:

a cellular telephone attachment;

a hinged first and second clam shell member having compressible material on opposing interior sides of said clam shell members, said cellular telephone attachment mounted to one of said clam shell members; and

a latch to close said clam shell members together while said strap or belt is interposed between said clam shell members.

2. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latch for said clam shell members is disposed opposite said hinge of said clam shell members.

3. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.

4. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.

5. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.

6. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 2 wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.

7. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 6 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.

8. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 6 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.

9. A clip-on mount for cellular telephone attachment to a strap or a belt comprising:

a cellular telephone attachment;

a first member rotatably coupled to a second member, said first and second members having interior and exterior surfaces, said first and second members having interfacing material on opposing interior surfaces, said interfacing material coacting with said strap or belt adapted to pass therebetween, said cellular telephone attachment mounted to one of said exterior surfaces of one of said first or second members; and

a closure system to close said first and second members together.

10. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and second members mate together about said strap or belt.

11. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein said interfacing material is compressible.

12. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein said interfacing material is compressible foam.

13. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members are flat.

14. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 9 wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members have complementary shaped surfaces.

15. A method of mounting a cellular telephone attachment to a strap or belt comprising:

proving two opposing plates hinged together;

capturing, by compressive force, said strap or belt between said two opposing plates;

attaching and detaching said plates together and opening and closing said plates by hinged movement about said strap or belt; and

attaching said cellular telephone to at least one of said plates.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 including latching said plates together and locking said plated about said strap or belt.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 including capturing said strap or belt with a tortuous path.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of capturing includes resiliently capturing said strap or belt between said plates.

19. A clip-on mount permitting a portable personal electronic device to be removably attachable to a strap or a belt via a two piece cellular telephone attachment, said two piece cellular telephone attachment having a first and a second complementary attachment mechanism, said first complementary attachment mounted on said personal electronic device, said clip-on mount comprising:

a hinged first and second clam shell member having compressible material on opposing interior sides of said clam shell members, said second complementary attachment mounted to one of said clam shell members; and

a latch to close said clam shell members together while said strap or belt is interposed between said clam shell members.

20. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein said latch for said clam shell members is disposed opposite said hinge of said clam shell members.

21. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.

22. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.

23. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 19 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.

24. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 20 wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.

25. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 24 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.

26. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 24 wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.

27. A clip-on mount permitting a portable personal electronic device to be removably attachable to a strap or a belt via a two piece cellular telephone attachment, said two piece cellular telephone attachment having a first and a second complementary attachment mechanism, said first complementary attachment mounted on said personal electronic device, said clip-on mount comprising:

a first member rotatably coupled to a second member, said first and second members having interior and exterior surfaces, said first and second members having interfacing material on opposing interior surfaces, said interfacing material coacting with said strap or belt adapted to pass therebetween, said second complementary attachment mounted to one of said exterior surfaces of one of said first or second members; and

a closure system to close said first and second members together.

28. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein said first and second members mate together about said strap or belt.

29. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein said interfacing material is compressible.

30. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein said interfacing material is compressible foam.

31. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members are flat.

32. A clip-on mount as claimed in claim 27 wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members have complementary shaped surfaces.