Attachment for portable electronic devices and methods for using the same

Abstract

Attachment apparatus for portable devices—especially portable electronic devices—and methods for using such apparatus are described. The attachment apparatus comprises a hooking mechanism and a base mechanism. The attachment apparatus facilitates carrying and using portable electronic devices, as well as allows easy attachment, removal, and retention of the portable device to an object, such as a user of the portable device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/583,769, filed Jun. 29, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus for portable electronic devices and methods for using the same. More particularly, the invention relates to attachment apparatus for portable devices that are used to easily attach, secure, and easily remove the portable device to a specific location or a specific object, such as a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By their nature, portable devices (especially portable electronic devices) are meant to be carried and portable so that they can be carried by a user. Often, however, the user desires to place the portable device in a specific location (usually relative to another object) and have it remain there for a fixed period of time until it is retrieved again. Such is the case with portable telephones, such as wireless telephones, where a user often clips the wireless telephone to the belt or other piece of clothing until someone calls the user.

There are currently several clip-type devices which are used to attach and/or secure wireless phones to other objects. These clip-like devices are designed not only to secure electronic devices to objects, but also to allow easy removal for quick access to/use of the device. Examples of such devices are exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,850,996, 5,622,296, 6364184, 6006969, 5730342, 5779115, 6742685, 6427293, and 6550108, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Most of these clip-type devices are designed to be attached or mounted onto a belt or cuff of clothing of the user. Subsequently, most of these clip-like devices do not lend themselves well to attaching or mounting on dissimilar objects, i.e., objects other than belt or cuff of clothing of a user. As well, these clip-like devices tend to be bulky, making the transportation of the portable device more conspicuous and more difficult. Many devices also require a piece that clips to the user and a piece that clips to the portable device. These two pieces are designed to lock or mate together. Still, other clips incorporate a holster that is clipped to the user and holds the portable device. When the portable device is removed, the holster stays on the user. These clip-like devices also do not provide a means to aid the user in grasping the portable device. Thus, there are currently few one-piece devices which can be affixed to a portable device and which allow a user to easily attach and detach a portable device to disparate objects and facilitate retention by the user, yet which are also not bulky.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an attachment apparatus for portable devices—especially portable electronic devices—and methods for using such apparatus. The attachment apparatus comprises a hooking mechanism and a base mechanism. The attachment apparatus facilitates carrying and using portable electronic devices, as well as allows easy attachment, removal, and retention of the portable device to an object, such as a user of the portable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the invention can be understood in light of FIGS. 1-18, in which

FIGS. 1-6 depict various aspects of the attachment apparatus of the invention;

FIGS. 7-9 depicts the attachment apparatus in combination with a wireless telephone in one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts another aspect of the attachment apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 11 depicts the attachment apparatus retained on a hanger in one aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 12-16 depict various aspects of the attachment apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 17 depicts the attachment apparatus attached to the carrying case of a wireless telephone; and

FIG. 18 depicts a rotating mechanism that can be used with the attachment apparatus in one aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 1-18 illustrate specific aspects of the invention and are a part of the specification. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same component. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description provides specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. The skilled artisan, however, would understand that the invention can be practiced without employing these specific details. Indeed, the invention can be practiced by modifying the illustrated device and can be used in conjunction with apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. The invention described below deals primarily with wireless telephones. The invention, however, could be modified for any other portable electronic devices, such as walkie-talkies, pagers, stop watches, time pieces, remote controls, flashlights and the like. Indeed, the invention could be used for any non-electronic portable device, such as a wallet, coin purse, key ring, key chain, tools (like a tape measure), security or ID cards. As well, the invention is described for attachment to an individual user (such as to a belt loop). The invention, however, could be attached to objects other than users or to other locations on a user.

As described above, the invention includes an attachment apparatus for portable devices such as wireless telephones. The attachment apparatus facilitates carrying and using portable electronic devices, as well as allows easy attachment, removal, retention of the portable device to an object, such as a user of the portable device. Any such attachment that operates in the above manner can be used in the invention. In one aspect of the invention, the attachment is comprised of a hooking means 2 and a base means 21 as described below and depicted in the Figures.

The attachment device of the invention can be made of any material(s) that allow it to operate in the above manner, as well as which lend themselves to aesthetic and functional requirements. Examples of such materials include plastics, elastomers, composites, spring steel, other metals, wood, or combinations thereof. These materials can optionally be treated to provide different finishes or appearances to enhance marketability. Examples of such treatments include color, texture, opacity, other visual and tactile effects, and combinations thereof.

The attachment device 1 of the invention contains a hooking means. The hooking means is used to easily attach, retain, and easily remove the portable device to other objects, such as a user. The hooking means also provides a mechanism for users to hold the portable electronic device in their hand with added security from accidental dropping. Any hooking means known in the art that serves such purposes can be used in the invention, including the hooking means known in the art and described in the patents mentioned above.

In one aspect of the invention, the hooking means 2 of the invention comprises a loop 3 that is open or closed relative to itself. An example of a loop 3 that is closed relative to itself is depicted in FIGS. 1-3, where the loop of the hooking means closes upon itself to form a ring 5 or is substantially closed to form shape 6. Other shapes for the self-enclosed loops, such as square, triangles, rectangles, polygons, and the like can be used in the invention.

An example of a loop 3 that is open relative to itself is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the loop 3 of the hooking means leaves an opening 7 that facilitates the attachment/removal of the hooking means to the object to which the portable device is attached. The opening 7 can generally range from about 0 to about 1 inches. The opening 7 can also be created by merely cutting a loop made of flexible material so that a section of the loop bends to and way from the portable device, thereby creating a loop that can open and close as shown in FIG. 5.

In another aspect of the invention, the loop 3 of the hooking means is closed relative to the portable device to which it is attached. An example of a loop that is closed relative to the portable device is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6 where the loop is open relative to itself to form an opening, yet forms an enclosure 9 when combined with the base means (or in certain aspects of the invention forms an enclosure in combination with the portable device).

The hooking means 2 can contain more than a single loop in the hooking means. In this aspect of the invention, the hooking means contains a first loop 10 and a second loop 11 as shown in FIG. 6. This aspect is very useful as it provides dual attachment points for the portable device to an object. As well, this configuration allows easy transfer and increased security when transferring the portable device from one hand to another.

In the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the two loops can be separate from each other. Alternatively, they can be connected to each other and attached to the portable device so that the loops slide back and forth relative to the portable device. This configuration allows the size of the loop of the hooking means to vary depending on the desired size needed by the user when handling the portable device.

In one aspect of the invention, the hooking means is indirectly connected or attached to the portable device through the base means as described below. In another aspect of the invention, the hooking means is directly connected or attached to the portable device. In this aspect of the invention, the portable device itself acts as the base means.

When directly connected to the portable device, the hooking means of the invention can be either integrated into the design of the portable device or can be configured as an add-on item. When integrated into the design of the portable device, the portable device is manufactured so the hooking means are manufactured as a part of the portable device. This aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7, where the portable device 100 is made with a hole 8 where one connected end 13 of the loop of the hooking means 2 is located. The portable device 100 is also made with a groove 12 where the other free end 14 of the loop can be inserted. The hole 8 and the connecting end 13 are connected so that free end 14 can rotate towards and away from the groove 12. This configuration allows the user to rotate the loop (and therefore the hooking means) away from the groove, attach the portable device 100 to the desired object, and then rotate the loop partially or fully towards the groove 12, thereby locking the hooking mechanism. To remove the portable device 100 from the object, the loop is simply rotated away from the groove 12.

When directly connected to the portable device, the hooking means can be either permanently or removably attached to the portable device. The hooking means can be permanently attached by any means known in the art, such as welding, bonding, or gluing. The hooking means can be removably attached by any known means.

When directly connected to the portable device, the hooking means can be located on any desired portion of the portable device. Typically, the hooking means is located on an upper portion on the back of the portable device so that the portable device remains in an upright position when attached to an object yet does not interfere with the operation of the portable device. The hooking means, however, could be attached to the bottom or sides of the back of the portable device. As well, the hooking means could be attached to the front of the portable device in one aspect of the invention.

When directly connected to the portable device, the hooking means can be configured to be moveable to different positions of the device when it is removably attached. In this aspect of the invention, the portable device is configured with the removable attaching means described above in the desired locations for attachment. The hooking means can be moved and attached from one location to another by the user.

In one aspect of the invention, the hooking means illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is used in the invention. The hooking means in this aspect of the invention contains 3 portions. A first portion A extends away from the base means, typically in a substantially straight line. The second portion B is a curved portion connected to the first and the third portions. The curve of the second portion can vary substantially depending on design requirements, but typically can range from about 150 to about 210 degrees. In one aspect of the invention, the curve of the second portion is typically about 180 degrees. The third portion C of the hook extends from the second curved portion typically in a substantially straight line and can stop short of, along side of, overlap, or extend past the base means. In one aspect of the invention, the third portion can overlap the base means 21 as depicted in FIG. 10.

The lengths of the portions (and therefore the curvature of the second portion) depend on the material, application and device configuration, and can be adjusted to the portable device for which it will be used. For wireless telephones, the length of the first portion can range from about 1.5 to about 3 inches, the length of the second portion can range from about 1 to about 2 inches, and the third portion can range from about 1 to about 3.5 inches.

The widths of the three portions A, B, and C depend on the material, application, and device configuration. The widths of the 3 portions are typically about the same, but need not be. The widths are usually wider than the thickness of the attachment apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the widths can range from about 0.06 to about 0.25 inches.

The hooking mechanism of the invention is designed to provide a degree of flexibility, thereby allowing the third portion C or free end of the hooking means to move generally perpendicular to the plane in which attachment apparatus lies. Such movement facilitates the ability of the hooking mechanism to capture—and be captured by—objects. The required flexibility can be attained by exploiting the characteristics of materials used for manufacture. Another means to attain flexibility is the use of a spring-loaded hinge or other mechanism. Yet another means is by the simple configuration of the hooking means as illustrated in the Figures. The free end of the hooking mechanism is also slightly flexible relative to the first portion A of the hooking mechanism.

The hooking means is designed to capture (or be captured by) many types of disparate objects. Any capturing means known in the art can be used in the invention. Examples of such capturing means include a loop, a hole, a hook, a ring, a peg, a post, a digit, and combinations thereof. Such an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 11, where hanger 16 is configured to retain the hooking means until it is removed by the user.

The invention also contains a base means for the hooking means. As described above, the hooking means can be directly attached to the portable device. In this case, the portable device serves as the base means. In other aspects of the invention, the base means can be used to help attach the hooking means to the portable device. In one aspect of the invention, the hooking means can be attached directly to the device as well as attached indirectly through the base means.

The base means can be either permanently or removably attached to the portable electronic device. The base means can be permanently attached with an adhesive or other chemical bonding agent, a mechanical fastener, or molded snap feature. The base means can be removably attached to the portable device by tape, a mechanical fastener, hook and loop fabric, molded snap feature, or other mechanisms which clamp, or bind sufficiently to secure the base means properly to the portable device. The base can also contain whatever features are necessary to aid in its attachment to a portable device.

The base means 21 can have any shape that allows attachment to the portable device while serving as a base for the hooking means. Examples of such shapes include circular, square, rectangular, polygonal, and amorphic, as well as those shapes illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. In one aspect of the invention, the base means has the shape illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 which is substantially rectangular with rounded corners. The base means in this aspect of the invention has a lowered middle portion 22 and raised edges 23. In another aspect of the invention, the base means has the shape as depicted in FIG. 15, where a portion 24 extends from the rest of the base means to the proximity of the third portion C of the hooking means 2.

The base means of the invention can be either integrated into the design of the portable device or can be configured as an add-on item. The base means could be integrated into the portable device by any means, such as a molding process. As an add-on item, the base means can be permanently or removably attached using the mechanisms described above.

The base means can be located on any desired portion of the portable device depending on the desired location of the hooking means. Typically, the base means is located so that when connected to the hooking means, the hooking means is located in the upper portion of the back of the portable device. Since the hooking means can be located in any location, the base means can likewise be located in corresponding locations of the portable device.

In one aspect of the invention, the base means is designed in such a way as to allow rotation while the portable device is attached to the object. The rotating mechanism could also be designed to allow indexing to several different positions, as well as allowing it to be locked into a desired position. Any rotating mechanism known in the art can be used in the invention, including the mechanism 25 depicted in FIG. 18 comprising a screw 26 that retains the base means 21 to a backing plate 27.

The base means can also contain components for enhancing its function or for additional features. In one aspect of the invention, the component comprises a space for a logo or other advertising. In another aspect of the invention, the component comprises a depression to index an adhesive tab, as well as centering marks to help mount the attachment on the center of the portable electronic device. In yet another aspect of the invention, the component includes features which aid in identification and use of the portable electronic device.

In one aspect of the invention, the hooking means can also be configured to lock to the base means, thereby forming a closed loop. An example of locking the hooking means to the base means is illustrated in FIG. 16, where the free end C and the base means 21 contain mating portions 26 and 27. The mating portion 27 of the free end C of the hooking mechanism can be moved in and out of the mating portion 26 of the base means 21 to connect (or lock) and disconnect (or unlock) the attachment device of the invention.

Thus, the attachment apparatus of the invention as described above operates to allow a user to easily attach, remove, and easily remove the portable device from an object. The attachment apparatus can be used to attach the portable device to any desired object and any desired location on that object capable of accepting the attachment apparatus. Examples of such objects are the clothes of a user, a wall containing a pull, a knob, a loop, a hole, a hook, a ring, a peg, a post, a digit or the specially designed hook, including the hanger 16 depicted in FIG. 11.

The attachment apparatus is illustrated above as attaching to the flat surface of a portable device. The attachment apparatus could be modified to attach to non-flat surfaces. In this aspect of the invention, the base means could be manufactured with a curve matching the curvature of the surface to which it will be attached.

The attachment apparatus need not be directly attached to the portable device. In this aspect of the invention, the attachment apparatus could be attached to an auxiliary component of the portable device. Example of such auxiliary components include a chain, a hook, a plate, a hinge, a swivel, a stand-off, a spacer, or holster. In one aspect of the invention, the component is a carrying case for the portable device, such as the carrying case 30 of a wireless telephone as depicted in FIG. 17.

The attachment device of the invention can be configured as an integrated part of the portable device. In this aspect of the invention, the hooking means and the base means are made to correspond to the design of a specific portable device. In another aspect of the invention, the attachment device can be configured as an add-on component to the portable device. In this aspect of the invention, the hooking means and the base means are made to be used with any number of portable devices.

The attachment device of the invention is intended to add very little depth to the portable device. The plane of the attachment apparatus of the invention is parallel to the surface of the portable device to which it is attached, thereby minimizing the overall depth of the combined product (portable device and attachment apparatus). Other attachment devices known in the art (notably the clip-type devices) extend away from the surface to which typically they are attached. Such mechanisms therefore increase the depth of the combined product (portable device and clip) and similarly limit the types of objects that it can be secured to.

The overall dimensions of the attachment are such that the invention can be adapted to a variety of different portable electronic devices. These dimensions can be changed as needed to suit a specific end use (such as a specific model of wireless telephone) and still retain the functionality of the invention. However, the invention has been designed to be used with a wide array of portable devices.

The attachment of the invention can be modified in several ways. The hooking mechanism can be designed with several different cross-sections or bent into different shapes as an appeal to visual interest and function. The attachment apparatus can designed to be ambidextrous or reversible to accommodate the needs of the user. It is also possible to change the base means to a clamp that can be secured by mechanical or chemical means to an antenna or other protrusion from a portable device. In one aspect, the attachment apparatus can contain an antenna means that enhances the reception of portable devices using wireless methods of communication. The portable device could contain more than just one attachment apparatus. Finally, the attachment apparatus could be configured for larger/heavier portable electronic devices.

The attachment apparatus of the invention is versatile and can be accommodated the meet the needs of the individual user. This versatility is accomplished in one aspect of the invention by allowing the user to dictate the orientation in relation to the portable device (or vice versa). This orientation can be accomplished at the time of mounting the invention to the portable device by choosing which side of the invention to affix to the handheld device and in which orientation. In another aspect of the invention, this versatility can be accomplished through the design of the base means in relation to the portable device.

In one aspect of the invention, the hooking means can be designed to allow rotation between it and the base means. In this aspect of the invention, the hooking means can be designed such that it is removable from the base means (which stays mounted to the device) and then reattached into a different orientation. This configuration would be advantageous where the base means was integral to the portable device at the time of manufacture. The ability to separate the hooking means and the base means also allows disparate materials to be used for manufacture, as well as appealing to different market segments.

Having described the preferred aspects of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Claims

1. An attachment apparatus for a portable device, comprising:

base means; and

hooking means attached to the base means and extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device.

2. The apparatus of the claim 1, wherein the base means is part of the portable device.

3. The apparatus of the claim 1, wherein the base means is removably or permanently attached to the portable device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base means is attached to an intermediary object that is in turn attached to the portable device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hooking means comprises one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hooking means comprises a first portion attached to and extending away from the base means, a second curved portion, and a third portion extending back toward the base means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the third portion extends in a substantially straight line and can stop short of, along side of, overlap, or extend past the position of the base means.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hooking means is connected to the base means so that the free end can rotate.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the free end can be connected to the base means.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base means comprises a lowered middle portion and raised edges.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the base means comprises a portion extending toward the free end of the hooking means.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the free end of the hooking means can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.

13. An attachment apparatus for a handheld portable device, comprising:

base means; and

hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the free end of the hooking means can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the hooking means comprises a first portion attached to and extending away from the base means, a second curved portion, and a third portion extending back toward the base means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the third portion extends in a substantially straight line and can stop short of, along side of, overlap, or extend past the position of the base means.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the hooking means is connected to the base means so that the free end can rotate.

18. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the free end can be connected to the base means.

19. An attachment apparatus for a wireless telephone, comprising:

base means attached to a surface of the wireless telephone; and

hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the wireless telephone, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.

20. A mechanism for retaining a portable device to an object, the mechanism comprising:

base means attached to a surface of the portable device; and

hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.

21. A portable device, comprising an attachment containing base means attached to a surface of the portable device, and hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the portable device comprises a wireless telephone.

23. A method of making an attachment for a portable device, the method comprising:

providing base means attached to a surface of the portable device; and

providing hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.

24. A method for attaching a portable device to an object, the method comprising:

providing a portable device, comprising an attachment containing base means attached to a surface of the portable device, and hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface;

providing an object; and

attaching the attachment of the portable device to the object.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the portable device is a wireless telephone.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the object is part of the clothing of a person.