Personal Electronic Device Carrier

Abstract

A personal electronic device carrier having a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier; strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and jewelry attachment means for attachment of personal effects to said carrier.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/791,044 filed Apr. 10, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to a personal electronic device carrier or holder. More specifically, this application relates to a phone device or personal audio device carrier that allows the device to be carried in novel ways in a holder that allows for personalization by a user.

SUMMARY

This application discloses a personal electronic device carrier that is economical to produce, of simple construction and capable of mass production, but also capable of providing a user a suitable means to carry and operate a personal electronic device in a personalizeable carrier. As user herein, personal electronic device includes a phone, such as a cell phone, of either the “clamshell” or “candy bar” design, a personal audio player such as an mp3 player, personal digital assistant, or any other personal electronic device that would benefit from the use with the carrier described herein.

In particular, this application discloses a personal electronic device carrier comprising: a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier; strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and jewelry attachment means for attachment of personal effects to said carrier.

Further, this application discloses a personalizeable personal electronic device carrier comprising: a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier; strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and at least one jewelry attachment region located about the periphery of said pocket portion for attachment of personal effects to said carrier such that said carrier can be personalized by a user.

The application also discloses a personalizeable personal electronic device carrier comprising: a pocket portion that includes a front layer wherein the first layer includes portion with perforations for transmission of auditory signals there through and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion, and wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion; retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier wherein the retaining means includes a hook and loop assembly such that one portion of said hook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer within said pocket portion and one portion is attached to a portion the device to be retained such that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocket portion; strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object wherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through said looped portion, and wherein said strap further comprises adjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier is to be secured to; and at least one jewelry attachment region located about the periphery of said pocket portion for attachment of personal effects to said carrier such that said carrier can be personalized by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a the personal electronic device carrier described herein;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the carrier in FIG. 1 with the front layer removed;

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the carrier in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a front plan view of a body strap usable with the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4C is a front plan view of a bracelet strap usable with the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4D is a front plan view of a necklace strap usable with the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4E is a front plan view of a belt loop and purse strap usable with the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a hook fastener clip;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of hook tape;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the carrier in FIG. 1 shown with a body strap and hook fastener clip;

FIG. 7 is front plan view of the rear portion of a clamshell type phone with the hook tape shown before insertion into the carrier;

FIGS. 8A-8E shows the carrier of FIG. 1 attached to various body portions;

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 shown with various personal effects attached thereto; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1 shown during the operation of a clamshell phone retained therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, shown therein and generally designated by the reference character 10 is the personal electronic device carrier 10 constructed in accordance with the following description. The carrier 10 comprises a pocket portion 11 that includes a front layer 12, wherein the front layer 12 includes a portion 13 with perforations 14 for transmission of auditory signals there through when a personal electronic device such as a phone is inserted into the pocket portion 11, and a back layer 15 wherein a portion of the layers are attached together about their edges 16 so as to allow a personal electronic device to be removeably inserted into the pocket portion 11. The front 12 and back 15 layers are attached about a portion of their edges by means common in the art, and may include, adhesive, sewing, or any other like means know or to be discovered.

The front layer 12 is made of a flexible transparent material, preferably PVC, so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, however, any like material could be used. For example, when a phone is inserted, the user can still operate the buttons through the transparent and flexible front layer 12 and speak through the perforations 14 which allow the auditory signals to pass through. See FIG. 10 for an example of a clamshell style phone 40 is shown inserted into the carrier 10. The clamshell phone generally comprises a first 41 (the display) and second region 42 (the keypad) and only the second region 42 is inserted into the pocket portion 11. When the phone 40 is closed, the first region 41 comes in contact with the front layer 12. It should be appreciated that a candy bar styled phone would also be functional when placed in the carrier 10 in the same way.

Referring to FIG. 3 and 6, the back layer 15 includes a loop layer 16 wherein a portion of the back layer 15 and loop layer 16 are attached together at the upper 17 and lower regions 18 so at to create a looped portion 19. In further embodiments, the loop layer 16 may include a storage portion 20 such as a small pocket for storing personal items such as money. The looped portion allows for a strap means such as a body strap 30 to thread between the back layer 15 and the loop layer 16 so that the carrier 10 can be attached to a variety of objects such as an exercise device, a body part of the user, or any location desired by the user. See FIGS. 8B-8E, for various examples of where the carrier can be secured with the body strap 30, which include the arm, wrist, leg, and ankle. Preferably the body strap 30 utilizes a hook and loop assembly such as Velcro™ to secure the carrier 10 to an object. Such hook and loop assemblies are well known in the art, but to briefly describe how the assembly is utilized in the present example, the outer layer of the strap 30 has the loop portion and the hook portion resides on a clip portion 31 at one end 32 of the strap. A D-ring 33 is located at the opposite end 34 of the strap 30. In a further embodiment, the strap is customizable to the given user and to the particular location that user wants to attach the carrier to. This is accomplished since the clip portion 31 is fixedly detachable to the strap 30, such that a user can remove the clip 31 by opening it, trim off the desired amount of strap, and reattach the clip 31 by closing it upon the end 32 of the strap 30. See FIG. SA for an example of the clip portion 31 shown in its open state and FIG. 4B for the strap 30 and D-ring 33. Additional strap means include the utilization of an eyelet 21 located on the back layer 15 of the carrier. The eyelet 21 allows for the attachment of various strap means, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 4C-4E, and include a bracelet strap 22, necklace strap 23, and a belt loop and purse strap 24 respectively. See FIG. 8A for an example of the necklace strap 23 attached to the carrier 10 at the eyelet 21 and worn by a user The eyelet 21 is preferably made of a durable material such as metal.

Referring now FIGS. 2 and 7, the carrier 10 includes retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion 11 for detachably retaining the personal electronic device in the carrier 10. The retaining means preferably is a hook and loop assembly such that one portion 25 of said hook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer 15 within said pocket portion 11 and one portion 26 is attached to a portion on the device to be retained, such that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocket portion 11. Preferably the portion 25 attached to the back layer 15 is sewn on; however, an adhesive or similar means would also work. And preferably, the portion 25 attached to the back layer would be the loop portion. For the hook portion 26 attached to the device, an adhesive is the preferred means of attachment which is accomplished by hook tape as shown by way of example in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 9, the carrier 10 may include at least one jewelry attachment region located about the periphery 29 of said pocket portion 11 for attachment of personal effects 44 (such as jewelry) to the carrier 10 so that the carrier can be personalized by a user. Such jewelry attachment means allow the carrier to be personalized by the user and such means generally come in two types. The first type is attachment loops 27 attached to the back layer 15 of the carrier 10. The second type includes holes 28 in the corners of the front layer 12. The attachment means on the carrier 10 allows for the user to attach personal effects 44 that include hooks, clasps, or any other similar engagement device to the carrier by engaging the attachment loops 27 or the holes 28. The holes 28 in the front layer 12 may also be utilized for attaching various accessories to the personal electronic device such as head phones, chargers, or any other desired accessory.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A personal electronic device carrier comprising:

a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion;

retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier;

strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and

jewelry attachment means for attachment of personal effects to said carrier.

2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through said looped portion.

3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein said strap further comprises adjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier is to be secured to.

4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion.

5. The carrier of claim 4 wherein the back layer further comprises an eyelet.

6. The carrier of claim 5 wherein device to be carried is a clamshell phone with a first and second region and wherein only the second region is inserted into the pocket portion.

7. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the retaining means includes a hook and loop assembly such that one portion of said hook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer within said pocket portion and one portion is attached to a portion on the device to be retained such that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocket portion.

8. The carrier of claim 7 wherein the front layer includes portion with perforations for transmission of auditory signals there through.

9. A personalizeable personal electronic device carrier comprising:

a pocket portion that includes a front layer and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, and wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion;

retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier;

strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object; and

at least one jewelry attachment region located about the periphery of said pocket portion for attachment of personal effects to said carrier such that said carrier can be personalized by a user.

10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through said looped portion.

11. The carrier of claim 10 wherein said strap further comprises adjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier is to be secured to.

12. The carrier of claim 11 wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion.

13. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the back layer further comprises an eyelet.

14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein device to be carried is a clamshell phone with a first and second region and wherein only the second region is inserted into the pocket portion.

15. The carrier of claim 9 wherein the retaining means includes a hook and loop assembly such that one portion of said hook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer within said pocket portion and one portion is attached to a portion on the device to be retained such that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocket portion.

16. The carrier of claim 15 wherein the front layer includes portion with perforations for transmission of auditory signals there through.

17. The carrier of claim 16 wherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through said looped portion.

18. The carrier of claim 17 wherein said strap further comprises adjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier is to be secured to.

19. The carrier of claim 18 wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion.

20. A personalizeable personal electronic device carrier comprising:

a pocket portion that includes a front layer wherein the front layer includes a portion with perforations for transmission of auditory signals there through and a back layer wherein a portion of said layers are attached together about their edges so as to allow said device to be removeably inserted into said pocket portion, wherein said front layer is made of a flexible transparent material so as to allow operation of said device when positioned in said pocket, wherein said back layer includes a loop layer wherein a portion of said back layer and loop layer are attached together so at to create a looped portion, and wherein said loop layer further comprises a storage portion;

retaining means fixedly attached within said pocket portion for detachably retaining said device in said carrier wherein the retaining means includes a hook and loop assembly such that one portion of said hook and loop assembly is attached to said back layer within said pocket portion and one portion is attached to a portion on the device to be retained such that when the hook and loop assembly is engaged, the device is detachably retained in said pocket portion;

strap means attachable to said carrier for securing said carrier to an object wherein the strap means is a strap that is threaded through said looped portion, and wherein said strap further comprises adjustment means such that the strap can be sized to fit the object the carrier is to be secured to; and

at least one jewelry attachment region located about the periphery of said pocket portion for attachment of personal effects to said carrier such that said carrier can be personalized by a user.