Method and apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object
A method and apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device. The apparatus further includes a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume. The retractable fastener is positionable at a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object, a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object and a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
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The present invention relates to portable electronic device accessories and more specifically to affixation accessories for mobile telephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRecent statistics show that the number of cellular telephone users in the United States alone is about 203 million. The emergence of the cellular telephone and portable digital assistants (“PDA”s) as widely embraced technologies has led to the emergence of ancillary markets, such as the market for cellular telephone accessories. As more and varied cellular accessories reach the market, the need for smaller and more streamlined accessories has developed.
Cellular telephones are currently quite compact, having a length, width and depth of only a few inches. Some persons, particularly males, prefer to carry their cellular telephone or cell phone on a belt about their waist. Various belt clips for cellular telephones have been devised. One form of belt clip requires that the cell phone itself carry a certain attachment that interlocks with a complementary attachment on the belt clip. These types of cellular telephone belt clips include a first clip member which captures the person's belt and a complementary clip member which interacts with the first clip member permanently or semi-permanently attached to the rear side of the cell phone. This form of belt clip, however, can be complicated to use since it consist of multiple separate pieces and the user is required to place a first member on his belt before the cell phone is attached to the belt.
Another form of belt clip is a simple clip that attaches permanently or semi-permanently to the back of the cell phone. The clip is subsequently attached to a belt or a pant edge. These clips, however, can be bulky and unwieldy to use. Further, the cumbersome nature and size of these clips makes it more difficult to carry the cell phone in a pant pocket or a small purse.
Thus, there is a need to overcome the problems with the prior art, and more particularly for a more efficient and compact way to provide a clip or other fastener for affixing a portable device to an object such as an individual's belt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object using a simple and low-cost device with a small profile.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object. The apparatus includes a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device. The apparatus further includes a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume. The retractable fastener is positionable at a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object, a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object and a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method for removably affixing a portable device to an object. The method includes providing a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device. The method further includes affixing a retractable fastener to the object, wherein the retractable fastener includes an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume. The retractable fastener is positionable at a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object, a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object and a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
In accordance with still another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object. The apparatus includes a case for a portable device and a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the case. The apparatus further includes a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume. The retractable fastener is positionable at a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object, a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object and a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in
Along the top side of the housing 102 is an orifice 120 providing access to the inner volume of the housing 102. Slidably situated within the inner volume of the housing 102 and extending through the orifice 120 is a retractable fastener 110, which comprises a substantially planar element extending into a hook shape so as to provide an opening 118 circumspect by the retractable fastener 110. The retractable fastener 110 extends in a hook shape such that end 116 of the hook element of retractable fastener 110 is adjacent to the body of retractable fastener 110 but does not complete a full loop, thereby generating the gap 132 between end 116 of the hook element of retractable fastener 110 and the body of retractable fastener 110. While retractable fastener 110 can be made of a substantially rigid material, the shape of fastener 110 allows the end 116 to flex in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the retractable fastener 110 so as to facilitate the fastening of the retractable fastener 110 to an object in the case where fastener 110 is made of a resilient material. The hook shape of the retractable fastener 110 allows the attachment device 100 to be affixed to an object such as a belt, a belt loop, a pant edge or a hook.
The retractable fastener 110 includes a protruding element 114 located at a top side 112 of the hook element of retractable fastener 110. The protruding element 114 provides a tab that extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the retractable fastener 110 so as to facilitate sliding the retractable fastener 110 out of the orifice 120. Specifically, a user of the attachment device 100 can use a finger or fingernail to grip the protruding element 114 and slide the retractable fastener 110 in a direction away from the housing 102.
A collar 130 surrounds the front side of the outer rim of the orifice 120. The collar 130 of the orifice 120 can be arranged in the shape of a concave form 124 so as to allow the protruding element 114 to be exposed when the retractable fastener 110 is retracted into the housing 102. The rear side portion of the rim of orifice 120 provides a straight form 122. The retractable fastener 110 may be positioned at a first position in which the opening 118 and gap 132 are exposed to allow fastening of the attachment device 100 to the object, a second position in which the retractable fastener 110 is locked to the object when gap 132 is slid within the housing 102 and a third position in which the retractable fastener 110 is substantially contained within the inner volume of the housing 102. It is in the third position that the protruding element 114 is exposed by the form 124 of the collar 130 so as to facilitate pulling the retractable fastener 110 out of the orifice 120.
Collar 130 is spaced apart from the main planar surface of front side 102 to provide a cavity in which to insert and hide the raw cut edge of a mobile device case that has been fabricated to receive and house the attachment device 100. An exemplary arrangement showing attachment device 100 in use with a mobile device case is described below in detail.
Retractable fastener 110 is slidably situated in the volume between front side 104 and the back side 202 when the front side 104 and back side 202 are mated.
The retractable fastener 110 includes a protruding element 114 located at a top side of retractable fastener 110. The protruding element 114 provides a tab that extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the retractable fastener 110 so as to facilitate pulling the retractable fastener 110 out of the orifice 120. It is in the third position that the protruding element 114 is exposed by the form 124 of the collar 130 so as to facilitate pulling the retractable fastener 110 out of the orifice 120.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object using a simple and low-cost device with a small profile. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device;
- a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume and being positionable at:
- a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object;
- a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object; and
- a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- protrusions on the retractable fastener and detents within the housing to allow retention of the retractable fastener at the first, second and third positions
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises at least two matable pieces.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
- at least one tab located on a first piece of the housing; and
- at least one tab located on a second piece of the housing, wherein the at least one tab on the first piece of the housing interlocks with the at least one tab located on the second piece of the housing.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the end region of the retractable fastener comprises a hook-shape.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is couplable to a case for a portable device.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus fits securely within a pouch in the case for a portable device.
8. A method for removably affixing a portable device to an object, the method comprising:
- providing a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device; and
- affixing a retractable fastener to the object, wherein the retractable fastener includes an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume and being positionable at: a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object; a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object; and a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
- retaining the retractable fastener at the first, second and third positions using protrusions on the retractable fastener and detents within the housing.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing comprises:
- providing a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the portable device, wherein the housing comprises at least two matable pieces.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
- fastening a first piece of the housing with a second piece of the housing using at least one tab located on a first piece of the housing and at least one tab located on a second piece of the housing, wherein the at least one tab on the first piece of the housing interlocks with the at least one tab located on the second piece of the housing.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein step of affixing a retractable fastener to the object further comprises:
- providing a hook-shaped end region of the retractable fastener.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
- affixing the apparatus to a case for a portable device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second step of affixing comprises:
- inserting the apparatus into a pouch in the case for a portable device.
15. An apparatus for removably affixing a portable device to an object, the apparatus comprising:
- a case for a portable device;
- a housing defining an inner volume, the housing being couplable to the case;
- a retractable fastener having an end region, the end region including an opening for fastening the apparatus to the object, the retractable fastener being slidable within the inner volume and being positionable at:
- a first position in which the opening is exposed to allow fastening of the apparatus to the object;
- a second position in which the apparatus is locked to the object; and
- a third position in which the retractable fastener is substantially contained within the inner volume.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
- a pouch located on the case, wherein the apparatus fits securely within the pouch.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
- protrusions on the retractable fastener and detents within the housing to allow retention of the retractable fastener at the first, second and third positions
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises at least two matable pieces.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:
- at least one tab located on a first piece of the housing; and
- at least one tab located on a second piece of the housing, wherein the at least one tab on the first piece of the housing interlocks with the at least one tab located on the second piece of the housing.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the end region of the retractable fastener comprises a hook-shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 8, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 10, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Harold Goradesky (Davie, FL), Fernando Tages (Coral Springs, FL)
Application Number: 11/650,798
International Classification: A45F 5/00 (20060101);