Backward facing finger grip for a device
A gripping surface for an electronic device, such as a large mobile phone, which enables a user to hold the device more firmly with both one and two hands, and thus provide inputs to the front of the device over a wider area and or with greater precision. The grip is positioned at the center back of the body of the device and can be molded as part of the device, or the device case, or attached separately to either the device or device case. The grip consists out of a pattern of knobs and dimples that allow the index, middle and ring finger to exert a force inward toward the hand palm which balances that force against the edge of the device, as well as forces normal and parallel to the device which balance that force against of the weight of the device.
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to touch screen electronic devices and accessories.
2. Related Applications
Touch enabled devices, such as smart phones, have increasing screen sizes. In addition, accessories, such as battery and protective cases further increase the girth of these devices. This makes it harder for more and more people to reach the front facing touch screen with their thumbs while simultaneously gripping the device.
No-slip protective covers for mobile phones are widely available, for example Egrips® anti-slip protective skin, however in order to grip, these covers still require the hand to fully reach both edges of the device in order to generate the normal forces required for friction. Hand grip for electronic devices (U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,832 B2) is a backward facing device strap touching the back of the hand in order to generate the grip forces. In this case one hand is required to slip the device strap on the other hand. In addition, it the grip will only allow the display to be shown in either portrait or landscape orientation unless the user rotates his whole hand or arm which either moves the display away from the center of view or creates twisting stresses in the arm. The grip attachment for a mobile phone (U.S. Pat. No. 8,385,974 B1) creates a handle type extension to the mobile phone which allows for one hand operation when taking photographs. However, it significantly increases the size of the mobile device. It would be advantageous to have a small and light grip for large devices that allow the user to operate the device using only one hand.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA gripping surface for an electronic device, such as a large mobile phone, which enables a user to hold the device more firmly with both one and two hands, and thus provide inputs to the front of the device over a wider area and or with greater precision.
The gripping surface can be an integral part of the back cover of the device or attached as a separate molded pad. The grip is ideally manufactured from a non-slip material.
The grip is positioned at the center back of the body of the device and can be molded as part of the device, or the device case, or attached separately to either the device or device case. The grip consists out of a pattern of knobs and dimples that allow the index, middle and ring finger to exert a force inward toward the hand palm which balances that force against the edge of the device, as well as forces normal and parallel to the device which balance that force against of the weight of the device.
This grip allows the user to pick up and control a device with either one hand or two hands. The finger grip pattern ideally consists out of a symmetric knob and dimple pattern, so the device can be grasped in an upright (portrait) and horizontal (landscape) mode.
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Claims
1. A finger grip located at the center back of a device, comprising; a pattern of knobs and dimples where the users ring, middle and index fingers fits in the dimples between the knobs in order to enable a user to exert forces against the grip with his fingers which are balanced by the forces by the rest of his hand and the device itself, thus allowing one hand operation with increased thumb reach on the front of the device.
2. The device according to claim 1 is a touch screen device.
3. The finger grip of claim 1 is an integral part of a device case.
4. The finger grip of claim 1 is a detachable attachment that can be locked in place against the back of the device or device case.
5. The finger grip of claim 1 is an self-adhesive attachment that can be mounted against the back of the device or device case.
6. The finger grip of claim 1 is customized for individual users' device, hands and fingers by offering separate sizes specific devices and specific dimple and knob spacing.
7. The finger grip of claim 1 is dimensioned for individual users' device, hands and fingers through the use of hand and finger geometry scanners, and/or a photograph of the hand/device, and/or an impression mold.
8. The customized finger grip of claim 7 is manufactured with 3D printing or other additive manufacturing technique.
9. The finger grip of claim 1 is made of a non-slip material, such as silicone.
10. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 is symmetric, allowing a grip with the left hand or the right hand or the left hand and the right hand while the device is either in portrait or landscape orientation.
11. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 consists out of 4 horizontal and 4 vertical knobs with 3 horizontal and 3 vertical dimples.
12. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 consists out of 5 horizontal and 4 vertical knobs with 4 horizontal and 4 vertical dimples.
13. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 consists out of 6 horizontal and 6 vertical knobs with 5 horizontal and 5 vertical dimples.
14. The pattern of dimples of claim 1 allows the ring, index and middle finger to lay flat between the rows of knobs.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 7, 2015
Publication Date: Sep 8, 2016
Inventor: Alex Van der Velden (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 14/641,364