Holder for attaching items to clothing

Abstract

A holder for a portable electronic device, including a receptacle adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device, a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing the receptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between the magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements, and a finger guide element positioned with respect to the receptacle such that when the portable electronic device is placed in the receptacle, the finger guide element is adjacent a control button of the portable electronic device and the finger guide element guides a finger of a user to operate the control button.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a holder used to attach items to garments, such as a magnetic holder for attaching items to garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices are known for attaching items to clothing, such as clips, pins, adhesive, and lanyards. However, there are drawbacks to these devices. Clips which utilize a biting pair of spring loaded teeth (alligator clip) need a bite of clothing such as a pocket flap or lapel to attach to and cannot attach to the portions of clothing with no flap, fold or edge. Pins penetrate clothing and can damage fabric by leaving a hole. Pins are also troublesome to attach and remove from clothing while it is being worn. Adhesive backed items are typically limited to temporary use, since the adhesive backing is typically designed to be disposable and generally progressively weakens with time. Lanyards can be unfashionable, unattractive, uncomfortable and distracting.

Magnetic holders or clips for attaching items to garments are also known. At least as early as 1952, U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,395 to Cummings of the Hadley Company described a magnetic necktie holder with magnetic pieces on opposite sides of the shirt. The shirt is sandwiched between the two magnetic pieces and the attraction of the magnetic pieces to each other holds the tie in place.

US Patent Application 2005167485 to Taras describes a magnetic clip for attaching identification cards to clothing. The magnetic clip includes a bendable hanger strap, a card attachment clasp, and a magnetic connector. The magnetic connector is a two-part magnetic connector. One part is a ferrous metal plate with a surface to which a logo emblem can be displayed. The second (free) piece of the two part magnetic connector is a high strength magnet which can be detached and placed behind clothing.

US Patent Application 2004200080 to Lauri describes a razor blade holder that includes a slotted housing for removably retaining a razor blade therewithin. The housing is used with a keeper having a magnet affixed thereto. The housing and keeper sandwich a portion of a garment therebetween to provide easy and safe access to a razor blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide novel holder for a portable electronic device, as is described more in detail hereinbelow. In one embodiment of the invention, the holder is particularly suited for holding a portable handheld multimedia device, such as an MP3 player, and most particularly the IPOD player manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., US. The holder may be affixed to a garment by magnetic attraction.

Another embodiment of the present invention may be used for holding a key, such as house keys or car keys, by magnetic attraction to a garment.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a holder for a portable electronic device, including a receptacle adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device, a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing the receptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between the magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements, and a finger guide element positioned with respect to the receptacle such that when the portable electronic device is placed in the receptacle, the finger guide element is adjacent a control button of the portable electronic device and the finger guide element guides a finger of a user to operate the control button.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the finger guide element may include a tactile member with a window such that when the portable electronic device is placed in the receptacle, the tactile member is adjacent a control button of the portable electronic device and the tactile member guides a finger of a user to operate the control button via the window. The finger guide element may include a tactical member flexibly mounted thereon such that the tactical member is pressable on to the control button of the portable electronic device placed in the receptacle. One of the magnetic elements may be mounted on the receptacle and the other of the magnetic elements may be mounted on the finger guide element.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there may be included a wire organizer element that includes another pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing the wire organizer element to a garment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between the other pair of magnetic elements and is held by magnetic attraction between the other pair of magnetic elements, the wire organizer element including lugs for wrapping wire thereabout.

There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for holding a portable electronic device on a garment, including providing a pair of magnetic elements that are positioned not to electromagnetically interfere with operation of a portable electronic device, affixing one of the magnetic elements with respect to the portable electronic device, and placing a portion of a garment between the pair of magnetic elements, wherein the portable electronic device is held by magnetic attraction between the pair of magnetic elements.

There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a holder for a key including a receptacle including an elongate pocket adapted for receiving therein a shank of a key, the elongate pocket extending from a key-head receiving member adapted for receiving therein a head of the key, the key-head receiving member being partially open to provide access for gripping the head of the key placed therein, and a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing the receptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of the garment is positioned between the magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements.

The key placed in the receptacle may have a head with an aperture formed therein and the aperture may be exposed in the key-head receiving member.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the receptacle may include a pattern that uniquely identifies a key placed in the receptacle. The pattern may be visual and/or tactile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a holder for a portable electronic device, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded, pictorial illustration of the holder of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified side-view illustrations of attaching the holder of FIG. 1 with pairs of magnetic elements to a garment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3C-3F are simplified pictorial illustrations of another version of a holder for the portable electronic device, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of the holder with the portable electronic device installed therein, FIG. 3D is a rear perspective view of the holder showing the magnetic fastener that is placed on the other side of the garment to attract and hold the holder in place, FIG. 3E is a rear perspective view of the holder showing female attachment members for the magnetic fastener, and FIG. 3F is a side view of the magnetic fastener showing male attachment members that mate with the female attachment members of the holder;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a wire organizer element for wires associated with the portable electronic device of FIG. 1, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are simplified pictorial and side-view illustrations, respectively, of a holder for a key, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are simplified pictorial and side-view illustrations, respectively, of another version of the holder of FIGS. 5 and 6, including a pattern that uniquely identifies the key placed in the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate a holder 10 for a portable electronic device 12, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The portable electronic device 12 may include, without limitation, a cell phone, a PDA or a portable handheld multimedia device, such as an MP3 player, for example. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, portable electronic device 12 is an IPOD player, available in a variety of models from Apple Computer.

The holder 10 may include a receptacle 14 adapted for receiving therein the portable electronic device 12. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the receptacle 14 may be an injection molded plastic housing with an aperture 16 for inserting the portable electronic device 12 therethrough, another aperture 15 (FIG. 2) for providing access to a control button 24 of portable electronic device 12, another aperture 17 for providing viewing access to a display 25 of portable electronic device 12, and yet another aperture 18 (FIG. 2) for attaching a headphone jack 20 (FIG. 1) to portable electronic device 12.

A finger guide element 22 may be positioned with respect to receptacle 14 such that when the portable electronic device 12 is placed in receptacle 14, the finger guide element 22 is adjacent control button 24 of the portable electronic device 12, such as the circular control pad of the IPOD. For example, finger guide element 22 may comprise a peripheral frame 23 and the finger guide element 22 may include a tactile member 26 (e.g., a circular hub positioned to overlie the center of the circular control pad of the IPOD), which may be attached to the sides of the frame 23 by slender, arcuate arms 28. The space between the arms 28 and the sides of frame 23 define a window 30. When the portable electronic device 12 is placed in receptacle 14, the tactile member 26 is adjacent control button 24 of portable electronic device 12. The tactile member 26 guides a finger 32 (shown in FIG. 3A) of a user to operate control button 24 via window 30. For example, the user does not need to actually look at the portable electronic device 12. Rather the user merely has to touch the tactile member 26 and his/her finger 32 is properly registered with the functions of the control button 24 of portable electronic device 12, to perform such actions as select, forward, reverse, etc. Thus the invention obviates the need of having to look at the control button 24 of portable electronic device 12, which may be useful during such activities as jogging.

The tactile member 26 of finger guide element 22 may be flexibly mounted on frame 23 (e.g., by means of the slender arms 28, which may be injection molded from plastic) such that the tactical member 26 is pressable on to the control button 24 of the portable electronic device 12 placed in the receptacle 14. In certain models of the portable electronic device 12, this feature may allow the user to utilize the tactile member 26 to control the control button 24.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 3A and 3B. One or more pairs of magnetic elements 34 may be provided for fixing receptacle 14 to a garment 36 (e.g., a shirt, blouse, etc.). A portion of the garment 36 is positioned between the magnetic elements 34 and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 34. The magnetic elements 34 may comprise, without limitation, neodymium-iron-boron magnets, well known for their magnetic strength-to-size ratio.

The term “magnetic elements” encompasses an element that has the property of attracting objects to it by magnetic force (for example, a magnet) as well as an element that has the property of being attracted by magnetic force (for example, iron).

One of the magnetic elements 34 may be mounted on receptacle 14 and the other of the magnetic elements 34 may be mounted on the finger guide element 22, such as on the periphery of frame 23. The magnetic elements 34 are preferably positioned not to electromagnetically interfere with operation of portable electronic device 12.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, two frames 23 are provided. One of the frames 23 is magnetically attached to the top of receptacle 14 and the garment 36 is sandwiched between the other frame 23 and the bottom of receptacle 14. It is noted, that alternatively, the upper frame 23 may be non-magnetically attached to receptacle 14, such as by bonding with adhesive or with mechanical fasteners such as screws. In FIG. 3B, an alternative approach is shown, wherein only one frame 23 is used and the garment 36 is sandwiched between frame 23 and the bottom of receptacle 14.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3C and 3D, which illustrate another version of the holder for a portable electronic device 12, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and designated holder 80. As with holder 10, holder 80 may include a receptacle 82 adapted for receiving therein the portable electronic device 12. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the receptacle 82 may be an injection molded plastic housing with an aperture 84 for inserting the portable electronic device 12 therethrough, another aperture 85 for providing access to control button 24 of portable electronic device 12, and another aperture 86 for providing viewing access to display 25 of portable electronic device 12. The aperture 84 may also provide access for attaching a headphone jack (not shown here, but the same as jack 20 in FIG. 1) to portable electronic device 12.

A finger guide element 88 may be positioned with respect to receptacle 82 such that when the portable electronic device 12 is placed in receptacle 82, the finger guide element 88 is adjacent control button 24 of the portable electronic device 12, such as the circular control pad of the IPOD. For example, finger guide element 88 may comprise a peripheral frame 89 (the sides of receptacle 82) and the finger guide element 88 may include a tactile member 90 (e.g., a circular hub positioned to overlie the center of the circular control pad of the IPOD), which may be attached to the sides of the frame 89 by slender, arcuate arms 91. The space between the arms 91 and the sides of frame 89 define a window, which is the same as aperture 85. When the portable electronic device 12 is placed in receptacle 82, the tactile member 90 is adjacent control button 24 of portable electronic device 12. The tactile member 90 guides the user's finger (not shown here, but similar to that shown in FIG. 3A) to operate control button 24 via the aperture 85. As before, the tactile member 90 may be flexibly mounted on frame 89 such that the tactical member 90 is pressable on to the control button 24 of the portable electronic device 12 placed in the receptacle 82.

FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of the holder 80 with the portable electronic device 12 installed therein. FIG. 3D is a rear perspective view of the holder 80 showing a magnetic fastener 92, which is meant to be placed on the other side of the garment (not shown here) to attract and hold the holder 80 in place, as described above for holder 10. Referring additionally to FIG. 3E, holder 80 may include female attachment members 94, such as recesses formed in the body of receptacle 82 with magnetic elements 95 on the inner side of, or flush with, the recesses. Referring additionally to FIG. 3F, the magnetic fastener 92 may include male attachment members 96, such as magnetic elements 97 that protrude from the surface of the magnetic fastener 92. The male attachment members 96 are sized and configured to mate with the female attachment members 94 of the holder 80, such as by male attachment members 96 snugly fitting into the recesses of female attachment members 94. This arrangement greatly facilitates proper alignment of the magnetic elements when attaching them on both sides of the garment. (It is appreciated that the male attachment member may alternatively be on the magnetic fastener 92 and the female attachment member may be on holder 80.) The garment gets “tucked” into the recesses of female attachment members 94 and is held there by the male attachment members 96 snugly fitting into the recesses of female attachment members 94. This creates seizure or a binding force on the garment to hold it in place.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, which illustrate a wire organizer element 40 for wires 42 (FIG. 1) associated with the portable electronic device 12 of FIG. 1. (Wires 42, as seen in FIG. 1, may be the wires that lead to a headphone 49.) The wire organizer element 40 may include a male member 44 (FIG. 4A) comprising a magnetic base 46 and lugs 48 for wrapping wire thereabout. Male member 44 may further include a groove 47 for wrapping wire thereabout. The wire organizer element 40 may further include a female member 43 (FIGS. 4B and 4C) with a magnetic rim 45 that is held by magnetic force to magnetic base 46. Male member 44 and female member 43 may be formed with central bores 41 for passing wires therethrough.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4D, which illustrates another version of wire organizer element 40, designated wire organizer element 102. The wire organizer element 102 may include a male member 104, comprising a magnetic base 106 and one or more lugs 108 for wrapping wire thereabout. The wire organizer element 102 may further include a female member 110 with a magnetic recess 112. The male member 104 may be sized and configured to mate with the recess of female member 110. This arrangement greatly facilitates proper alignment of the magnetic elements when attaching them on both sides of the garment.

FIG. 1 shows wire organizer element 40 with male member 44 and female member 43 on opposite sides of garment 36. The wire organizer element 40 is fixed to garment 36 by the magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements, i.e., magnetic base 46 and magnetic rim 45.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5-8, which illustrate holder 50 for a key 52, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, holder 50 may include a receptacle 54 including an elongate pocket 56 adapted for receiving therein a shank 58 of key 52. The elongate pocket 56 may extend from a key-head receiving member 60 adapted for receiving therein a head 62 of key 52. The key-head receiving member 60 may be partially open to provide access for gripping the head 62 of the key 52. The key head 62 may be formed with an aperture 63. The aperture 63 may be exposed in the key-head receiving member 60.

Referring to FIG. 6, one or more pairs of magnetic elements 64 and 66 may be provided for fixing receptacle 54 to a garment 67. For example, magnetic element 64 may be mounted on a rear side of receptacle 54 (either inside receptacle 54 or on an outer side of receptacle 54) and magnetic element 66 may be mounted in a separate backing member 68 (again, either inside backing member 68 or on an outer side of backing member 68). Garment 67 is positioned between the magnetic elements 64 and 66 and held by magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 64 and 66.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate another version of holder 50. In this embodiment, the receptacle 54 includes a pattern 70 that uniquely identifies the key 52 placed in receptacle 54. For example, the pattern 70 may be rows/columns of protrusions 72 that protrude from the outer surface of receptacle 54. The pattern 70 thus may be a visual pattern (easily discernible by color, for example) or a tactile pattern (the protrusions that may be felt by anyone, including visually impaired persons) or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that instead of being a holder for keys, the holder 50 could be designed to hold other objects, such as but not limited to, coins, bills, ID cards, etc. It is also appreciated that holder 50 may be provided with male and female attachment members as described hereinabove for holder 80 and wire organizer element 102, which may greatly facilitate proper alignment of the magnetic elements when attaching them on both sides of the garment.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

1. A holder for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a receptacle adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device;

a pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing said receptacle to a garment, wherein a portion of said garment is positioned between said magnetic elements and held by magnetic attraction between said magnetic elements; and

a finger guide element positioned with respect to said receptacle such that when the portable electronic device is placed in said receptacle, said finger guide element is adjacent a control button of said portable electronic device and said finger guide element guides a finger of a user to operate said control button.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said finger guide element comprises a tactile member with a window such that when the portable electronic device is placed in said receptacle, said tactile member is adjacent a control button of said portable electronic device and said tactile member guides a finger of a user to operate said control button via said window.

3. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said finger guide element comprises a tactical member flexibly mounted thereon such that said tactical member is pressable on to the control button of the portable electronic device placed in said receptacle.

4. The holder according to claim 1, wherein one of said magnetic elements is mounted on said receptacle and the other of said magnetic elements is mounted on said finger guide element.

5. The holder according to claim 1, further comprising a wire organizer element that comprises another pair of magnetic elements adapted for fixing said wire organizer element to a garment, wherein a portion of said garment is positioned between said other pair of magnetic elements and is held by magnetic attraction between said other pair of magnetic elements, said wire organizer element comprising at least one lug for wrapping wire thereabout.

6. The holder according to claim 1, further comprising a portable electronic device placed in said receptacle.

7. The holder according to claim 6, wherein said portable electronic device comprises a portable handheld multimedia device.

8. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic elements comprise a male attachment member that protrudes and fits into a recess of a female attachment member, wherein the garment is seized between said male and female attachment members.

9. A holder for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a receptacle adapted for receiving therein a portable handheld multimedia device; and

a finger guide element positioned with respect to said receptacle such that when the portable handheld multimedia device is placed in said receptacle, said finger guide element is adjacent a control button of said portable handheld multimedia device and said finger guide element guides a finger of a user to operate said control button.

10. The holder according to claim 9, wherein said finger guide element comprises a tactile member with a window such that when the portable handheld multimedia device is placed in said receptacle, said tactile member is adjacent a control button of said portable handheld multimedia device and said tactile member guides a finger of a user to operate said control button via said window.

11. The holder according to claim 9, wherein said finger guide element comprises a tactical member flexibly mounted thereon such that said tactical member is pressable on to the control button of the portable handheld multimedia device placed in said receptacle.

12. The holder according to claim 9, further comprising a portable handheld multimedia device placed in said receptacle.

13. A method for holding a portable electronic device on a garment, comprising:

providing a pair of magnetic elements that are positioned not to electromagnetically interfere with operation of a portable electronic device;

affixing one of the magnetic elements with respect to said portable electronic device; and

placing a portion of a garment between said pair of magnetic elements, wherein said portable electronic device is held by magnetic attraction between said pair of magnetic elements.