Apparatus for Fixating an Electronic Device to Another Object

Abstract

An electronic device is affixed to another object through the use of this apparatus, which consists of one or more sleeves surrounding the periphery and backside of the electronic device and one or more elements protruding from the sleeves so that the protruding elements can be used to fasten the electronic device to another object.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE OR RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past several years, there has been a proliferation of handheld electronic devices that have been readily adapted by consumers. The devices include, for example, the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod Touch, the Microsoft Zune, the Sony PlayStation Portable, and the Garmin NUVI. Each of these devices, and many others, include a robust video screen that allows for the viewing of video files, full-length feature films, video games, and GPS instructions. The user, however, may wish to use the device from time-to-time without having to hold the device in his or her hands. For example, an airplane passenger may wish to enjoy a snack and a beverage while still viewing the movie file playing on his Apple iPhone or other electronic device. Instead of having to rest the electronic device on his tray table or lap, this invention allows the user to fasten the electronic device to another object—such as the hook of the tray table or the seat back pocket. Thus, allowing for hands-free viewing of the movie file.

While there exist many covers for these devices in the marketplace, none are specifically design to fasten the device to another object. Instead most electronic device covers exist merely to protect the device from damage. Moreover, most device covers are designed to be stream-lined with no protrusions extending from the cover. This invention, on the other hand, is specifically designed with protrusions so that protrusions may be used for fastening.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention, an electronic device is surrounded by either one or two of sleeves along the periphery and/or the backside of the device-leaving the entire screen viewable without obstruction by the sleeve (s).

According to another aspect of this invention, there is either a single or plurality of protrusions extending from the backside of the sleeves (ie., behind the device).

According to another aspect of this invention, the protrusions may be used to fasten the electronic device to another object. These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following detail description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves and a single horizontal element connecting the two vertical sleeves.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with a single horizontal element connecting the two vertical sleeves.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with a single horizontal element connecting the two vertical sleeves affixed to the tray table latch on a airplane seat by using the single horizontal element.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves and multiple horizontals element connecting the two vertical sleeves.

FIG. 5a is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with multiple horizontal elements connecting the two vertical sleeves for a back-side perspective.

FIG. 5b is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with multiple horizontal elements connecting the two vertical sleeves for a front-side perspective.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of an electronic device with multiple horizontal elements connecting the two vertical sleeves affixed to an airplane tray table latch by using the multiple horizontal elements

FIG. 7 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve with a single protruding element.

FIG. 8a is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronic device with a single protruding element.

FIG. 8b is the backside of a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronic device with a single protruding element.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronic device with a single protruding element affixing the single sleeve to the seat back pocket on an airplane seat by using the single protruding element

FIG. 10 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve with multiple protruding elements.

FIG. 11a is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronic device with multiple protruding elements.

FIG. 11b is the backside of a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronic device with multiple protruding elements.

FIG. 12 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve surrounding the backside and the periphery of an electronic device with multiple protruding elements affixing the single sleeve to the seat back pocket on an airplane seat by using the multiple protruding elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a specific embodiment of the invention. The right sleeve 1 surrounds one end of the periphery of the electronic device, while the left sleeve 2 surrounds the other end of the periphery of the device. The size of the sleeve openings will vary based on the type of electronic device for which the invention is specifically applied. That is, the sleeve-openings for a device such as an Apple iPhone will necessarily be smaller than the sleeve openings for a device such as a Sony PlayStation portable. The two sleeves are connected by 3 the protruding element. This element serves the dual function of both connecting the two sleeves, but also serving as the mechanism that specifically allows for the fastening of the electronic device to another object.

FIG. 2 shows the invention with an electronic device 4 inserted between the two sleeves 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the screen of the electronic device 4a is not obstructed by 1 or 2 because the sleeves are places around the periphery of the device at 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 shows the invention with an electronic device 4 inserted between the two sleeves, 1 and 2, and attached to a tray table latch 7—typically found on airplanes and trains. The protruding element 3 is placed behind the tray table latch while the latch is in the upright position, and this allows the electronic device to be held in place, without the use of the users hands. Once fastened the user can view the content of the electronic device in a hands-free manner.

FIG. 4 is another drawing of the specific embodiment of the invention. The right sleeve 1 surrounds one end of the periphery of the electronic device, while the left sleeve 2 surrounds the other end of the periphery of the device. In this embodiment, however, there are multiple protruding elements 3, 8, and 9. Three elements is merely one embodiment of the invention-two protruding elements or more than three protruding elements may also be employed depending on the particular electronic device and the object to which the user wished to fasten the electronic device. The multiple protruding elements are functional in that they allow the user to select one or more of the protruding elements to use during the fastening process. In some instances a more secure and/or desirable fastening to another object may occur by using all of the protruding elements or a protruding element other than the top-level 3 protruding element.

FIG. 5a illustrates the backside of FIG. 4 with the inclusion of an electronic device 4. In this specific embodiment of the invention, the backside of the electronic device 10 is partially covered by the multiple protruding elements 8 and 9. FIG. 5b illustrates the front side of FIG. 4 with the inclusion of an electronic device 4. Like other embodiment of the invention, the two sleeves 1 and 2 are installed around the periphery 5 and 6 of the electronic device 4, and the screen of the electronic device 4a is not obstructed by the invention.

FIG. 6 shows the invention with an electronic device 4 inserted between the two sleeves, 1 and 2, and attached to a tray table latch 7—typically found on airplanes and trains. The protruding element 8 is placed behind the tray table latch while the latch is in the upright position, and this allows the electronic device to be held in place, without the use of the users hands. Protruding element 8 is selected for fastening because by using a different protruding element, the user is able to connect the electronic device at a different and perhaps more desirable viewing angle. While not pictures, the user may also elect to use multiple protruding elements, for example 3 and 8, to create a more secure and/or more desirable fastening.

FIG. 7 is a specific embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a single sleeve 11 that surround the entire backside of the electronic device along with the periphery of the front-side of the device is employed. In this specific embodiment a single protruding device 12a is attached to the backside of the sleeve at 12b and 12c to allow for fastening to a fixed device. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8b, the single protrusion 12a is a clip. This is a mere example of the types of the protrusions that may be fastened to the backside of the single sleeve that will permit for fastening to a fixed object. Other types of protrusions, not picture, might include, without limitation, Velcro™-type protrusions, a magnetic protrusion(s), and others.

FIG. 8a shows the invention with an electronic device 13 inserted within the single sleeve 11. As shown in FIG. 8a, the screen of the electronic device 13a is not obstructed by 11 because the sleeve is places around the periphery of the device, for example at 14 and 15. FIG. 8b shows a backside view of FIG. 8a with a single sleeve 11 and protrusion 12a.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve 11 containing an electronic device 13 fastened to, for example, a seat-back pocket 17 typically found on airplane seats, train seats, and in the back seats of many passenger automobiles. The protrusion 12a is place over the top-opening of the seat-back pocket and securely fastened for hands-free viewing by the user.

FIG. 10 is a specific embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a single sleeve 11 that surround the entire backside of the electronic device along with the periphery of the front-side of the device is employed. In this specific embodiment multiple protruding devices 15a and 16a are attached to the backside of the sleeve at 15b and 15c and 16b and 16c, respectively, to allow for fastening to a fixed device. In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11b, the multiple protrusion 15a and 16a are clips. This is a mere example of the types of the protrusions that may be fastened to the backside of the single sleeve that will permit for fastening to a fixed object. Other types of protrusions, not picture, might include, without limitation, Velcro™-type protrusions, a magnetic protrusion(s), and others. Further, the fact that clips are pictures in FIGS. 10, 11a, 11b, and 12 are two clips, this specific embodiment of the inventions calls for multiple protruding devices, and may include more than two protruding devices.

FIG. 11a shows the invention with an electronic device 13 inserted within the single sleeve 11. As shown in FIG. 11a, the screen of the electronic device 13a is not obstructed by 11 because the sleeve is places around the periphery of the device, for example at 14 and 15. FIG. 11b shows a backside view of FIG. 1a with a single sleeve 11 and multiple protrusions 15a and 16a.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention with a single sleeve 11 containing an electronic device 13 fastened to, for example, a seat-back pocket 17 typically found on airplane seats, train seats, and in the back seats of many passenger automobiles. The protrusions 15a and 16a are placed over the top-opening of the seat-back pocket and securely fastened for hands-free viewing by the user.

Claims

1. An electronic device holder consisting of two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of the device connected along the backside of the device by a single horizontal element whereby the single horizontal element may be used to affixed the electronic device to another object so that the electronic device can be held in a substantially fixed place.

2. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.

3. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is capable of playing audio.

4. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a capable of playing video games.

5. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audio and/or video navigation instructions.

6. An electronic device holder according to claim 1, where the electronic device is capable of displaying digital photographs.

7. An electronic device holder consisting of a single sleeve surrounding the entire backside and periphery of the device whereby the backside of the sleeve contains an element protruding from the sleeve so that the protruding element may be used to affixed the electronic device to another object so that the electronic device can be held in a substantially fixed place.

8. An electronic device holder according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.

9. An electronic device holder according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is capable of playing audio.

10. An electronic device holder according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is a capable of playing video games.

11. An electronic device holder according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audio and/or video navigation instructions.

12. An electronic device holder according to claim 7, where the electronic device is capable of displaying digital photographs.

13. An electronic device holder consisting of two vertical sleeves surrounding the periphery of the device connected along the backside of the device by a plurality of horizontal connections whereby the some or all of the horizontal connections may be used to affixed the electronic device to another object so that the electronic device can be held in a substantially fixed place.

14. An electronic device holder according to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.

15. An electronic device holder according to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is capable of playing audio.

16. An electronic device holder according to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is a capable of playing video games.

17. An electronic device holder according to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audio and/or video navigation instructions.

18. An electronic device holder according to claim 13, where the electronic device is capable of displaying digital photographs.

19. An electronic device holder consisting of a single sleeve surrounding the entire backside and periphery of the device whereby the backside of the sleeve contains a plurality of elements protruding from the sleeve so that one or more of the protruding element may be used to affixed the electronic device to another object so that the electronic device can be held in a substantially fixed place.

20. An electronic device holder according to claim 19, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying video.

21. An electronic device holder according to claim 19, wherein the electronic device is capable of playing audio.

22. An electronic device holder according to claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a capable of playing video games.

23. An electronic device holder according to claim 19, wherein the electronic device is capable of displaying audio and/or video navigation instructions.

24. An electronic device holder according to claim 19, where the electronic device is capable of displaying digital photographs.