Adjustable clip holder for electronic device

Abstract

This invention includes a clip holder for use with a portable electronic device. The clip holder employs a flexible cable as a retention device. The flexible cable passes through an aperture 210 formed by a central member and a support member, thereby forming two closed loops. The size of each loop may be adjusted. In its smallest configuration, the clip holder is suitable for attachment to a button on a garment. In an alternate configuration, a loop may be folded over itself and attached to a hook member through a second loop, thereby forming a secure, closed loop around any solid object, including belts, purse straps, bicycle parts, lanyards and backpacks. The clip holder includes a latching assembly for coupling to the appropriate portable electronic device.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates generally to portable electronic devices, and more particularly to an adapter for removably, mechanically coupling a portable device another object.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Cellular phones are becoming ever more popular. With calling plans offering over 4000 minutes for less than $50 per month, it seems that everyone today is carrying a cellular phone. Many people like to have their cellular phones in close proximity to that they may answer calls quickly. As opposed to carrying the phones in pockets, many people today use belt clips to keep their phones close at hand.

[0005] Belt clips, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,184 to Hauck et al., are known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a typical prior art belt clip. The belt clip 6 comprises a rigid, plate-like member 27 with a latching means 28 for coupling to a portable electronic device. The plate-like member 27 of the belt clip 6 then generally has a resilient, springy clip portion 32 for attaching the belt clip 6 to the belt 8 as indicated in FIG. 1.

[0006] The problem with these prior art belt clips is that they are only suitable for thin, flat objects like belts. If a user wants to couple the electronic device to something that is not shaped like a belt, a bicycle handlebar for example, it would be impossible to do. The springy clip simply will not spring enough to go around a tubular piece of metal like a handlebar.

[0007] Additionally, many people do not wear belts. Many dresses for females, for example, are sans belts. Men may in fact wear Sansabelt™ slacks. Some people are more comfortable wearing mu{grave over ()}u mu{grave over ()}us. For these users, a belt clip is ineffective for attaching an electronic device to their personage.

[0008] There is thus a need for an improved clip holder for electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art belt clip.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a clip holder in accordance with the invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a first method of use of the clip holder of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second method of use of the clip holder of FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an exemplary latching assembly for a clip holder in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a preferred embodiment of a clip holder 200 for portable electronic devices in accordance with the invention. The clip holder 200 includes a central member 201 having a support member 202 coupled thereto. Note that the support member 202 may be a separate component that is attached to the central member 201, or may be constructed as an integral component in the central member.

[0016] Through an aperture 210 formed between the support member 202 and the central member 201, a cord 204 is passed. The cord is preferably circular in shape and elastic, although it need not be. Any equivalent material capable of forming a flexible loop would suffice. In the preferred embodiment, the cord 204 is similar to hair elastics used to hold ponytail hairdos in place. The cord 204 creates two closed loops 207,208. The loops 207,208 are at opposite sides of the support member 202. The aperture 210 is designed such that there are frictional forces between the cord 204 and the support member 201.

[0017] A hook member 203 is also provided. The hook member 203 is coupled to the central member 201. The central member 201 further includes a latching assembly 205, which is preferably located on the opposite side of the central member 201 from the cord 204. The latching assembly is for coupling the central member 201 to a portable electronic device. The latching assembly 205 may be any of those known in the art, and may include a push-button release 206 for decoupling the electronic device from the clip holder 200.

[0018] The clip holder 200 may be used in at least two different ways. The first is as shown in FIG. 2. A solid object may be passed through one loop 207. The user then pulls the cord 204 at the other loop 208 to tighten any slack that may be present. The frictional forces keep the cord 204 from slipping. Alternatively, an optional brake button 209 may be provided that is spring coupled to a brake mechanism in the aperture 210. The user depresses the brake button 209 to release the brake, thereby allowing the cord 204 to pass through the aperture 210. When the brake button 209 is released, the brake grips the cord 204, thereby stopping its motion through the aperture 210. In either event, the hook member 203 provides a one-way stop should either the frictional forces or brake mechanism fail.

[0019] Such an application is shown in FIG. 3. Illustrated therein is the clip holder 200 coupled to a portable electronic device 300 by way of the latching assembly 205. A button 301 has been passed through the first loop, and the slack has been taken out by pulling the second loop 208 of the cord 204. The electronic device 300 has thus been coupled to a button 301 in a way not possible with an ordinary belt clip.

[0020] The second way of using the clip holder 200 is shown in FIG. 4. Illustrated therein are the central member 201, the support member 202 and the cord 204, just as in FIG. 2. In the method illustrated in FIG. 4, however, the first loop 207 has been passed through the second loop 208 and over the hook member 203. In this manner, a third loop 401 is formed, shown by way of line segment 400 that passes through the third loop 401. The third loop 401 is a secure, closed loop supported by the hook member 203 and the second loop 208. If the user wraps the cord 204 about another object, like a bicycle handlebar or backpack strap for example, the clip holder then serves a coupling means between the electronic device and the other object. If the cord 204 is elastic, the cord 204 may be wrapped around an object with a thickness greater that that of the third loop 401. The elastic 204 would then expand, thereby offering a snug fit. Hence, the clip holder 200 is capable of coupling to large solid objects, as well as through small holes, in ways that traditional belt clips cannot. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is both a plan view and a side, elevated view of a clip holder 200 in accordance with the invention. The views of FIG. 6 are to illustrate a preferred latching assembly 205 for portable electronic devices. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that any number of equivalent latching systems may be substituted for this exemplary embodiment. The latching assembly 205 is essentially a protrusion from the central member 201 that inserts into an aperture 210 in the electronic device. The latching assembly includes a retention latch 600 that is actuated by the push-button release 206. When the push-button release 206 is depressed, a connecting member 601 causes the retention latch 600 to move within the edges of the latching assembly 205. This allows the latching assembly 205 to move freely in the aperture 210. Once the latching assembly 205 is within the aperture 210, the spring-loaded push-button release is released, thereby causing the retention latch 600 to mate with the appropriate retention stop within the aperture 210. The clip holder 200 is disconnected from the electronic device by following these steps in the reverse order.

[0022] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. For example, the optional brake button and brake may be employed with the embodiment of FIG. as well as the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A clip holder comprising:

a. a central member;

b. a support member coupled to the central member, wherein the coupling of the support member to the central member forms at least one aperture 210; and

c. a cord, wherein the cord passes through the at least one aperture 210;

wherein when the cord has passed through the at least one aperture 210, at least a first loop and a second loop are formed, the first loop being on the opposite side of the support member from the second loop.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the cord is elastic.

3. The holder of claim 1, further comprising a hook member coupled to the central member.

4. The holder of claim 3, further comprising a latching assembly coupled to the central member, the latching assembly for coupling the holder to a portable electronic device.

5. The holder of claim 4, further comprising a brake, the brake being actuated by a brake button, wherein the brake, when unactuated, exerts force on the elastic cord.

6. The holder of claim 5, wherein the latching assembly comprises

a. a retention latch;

b. a spring; and

c. a push-button release coupled to the retention latch;

wherein the retention latch is actuated by the push-button release;

further wherein when the push-button release is actuated by an actuating force, the spring exerts a force in the opposite direction of the actuating force.

7. A method of using a clip holder, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing the clip holder of claim 1;

b. passing an object through the first loop; and

c. pulling the second loop away from the support member to remove any slack from the first loop.

8. A method of using a clip holder, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing the clip holder of claim 2;

b. passing the elastic cord forming the first loop about an object;

c. passing the elastic cord forming the first loop through the second loop; and

d. passing the elastic cord forming the first loop about the hook member.