CARRIER FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Abstract

A carrier for an electronic device comprising a belt, a pouch for containing the electronic device formed on the belt at a point between its ends, fastener means on the inner face of the belt at one end thereof, fastener engaging means on the outer face of the belt and on the outer surface of the pouch for allowing the size of the belt to be adjusted by attaching the one end thereof to the outer face of the belt or to the outer surface of the pouch, and means for retaining the electronic device in the pouch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/977,344, filed Oct. 3, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a carrier for an electronic device or the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a carrier comprising a belt of adjustable length and a pouch formed on the belt for supporting the device on the user's body in such a manner as to prevent the device from becoming dislodged from the pouch while the user is moving about.

SUMMARY

Electronic devices commonly are utilized by persons during many activities. The present invention provides a carrier which allows a user to securely carry a device such as a wireless transmitter, cellular telephone, game, or other small electronic device in a pouch formed on a belt. It is simple in construction and the belt is infinitely adjustable in size, so that the electronic device can be held tightly against the user's body. The device is prevented from being ejected from the pouch. Therefore, the invention is particularly well suited for use by performers on stage and in the production of films, TV programs, and the like, where they are engaged in activities such as running and dancing.

In particular, this application discloses a carrier for supporting an electronic device comprising a substantially flat belt having an inner face, an outer face, and first and second end portions. Fastener means are located on the inner face of the belt at the first end portion. First fastener engaging means are located on the outer surface of the belt extending along the length of the belt and are engageable with the fastener means to secure the belt about the body of a user. A pouch for holding an electronic device is formed on the outer face of the belt intermediate the end portions. The pouch has an outwardly facing surface and an opening for receiving the electronic device. Second fastener engaging means are located on the outwardly facing pouch surface and are engageable with the fastener means. A releasable retainer is provided for selectively covering at least a portion of the opening to retain the device in the pouch.

This application also discloses a carrier for supporting an electronic device comprising a substantially flat belt having a core with elastic properties and defining a belt core inner face, a belt core outer face, and a tapered end portion. First hook elements are attached to the inner face of the belt core at the tapered end portion. A first portion of fabric having elastic properties and an outer surface of loop elements engageable with the first hook elements is attached to and covers the belt core outer face, whereby the first hooks can be attached to the first portion of fabric on the belt core outer face. A pouch panel having elastic properties is attached to the belt core outer face to form a pouch having a pouch outer face and an opening through which an electronic device may be inserted into said pouch. A second portion of fabric having elastic properties and an outer surface of loop elements engageable with the first hook elements is attached to and covers the pouch outer face, whereby the first hooks can be attached to the second portion of fabric on the pouch outer face. A retainer strap for selectively covering at least a portion of the opening in the pouch retains the device in the pouch. The retainer strap has a first end secured to the belt core and a free end having second hook elements engageable with the fabric covering the pouch, whereby the strap can be attached to the fabric on the pouch outer face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a side view of the belt of the carrier disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner face of the belt.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outer face of the belt prior to formation of the pouch.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the pouch panel prior to being attached to the belt.

FIG. 5 shows the belt with the pouch in perspective installed on the belt in an orientation that supports the wireless device placed therein perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt.

FIG. 6 shows the belt with the pouch in perspective installed on the belt in an orientation that supports the electronic device placed therein along the longitudinal axis of the belt.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the pouch retaining strap.

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

DESCRIPTION

The carrier for an electronic device of the present invention comprises a belt, a pouch formed on the belt, a releasable strap for securing a small electronic device or the like inside the pouch, and adjustable fastening means for installing the belt around a user's waist or limb.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the belt 1, which has a core 2 of a material having elastic properties, such as neoprene. Core 2 has an inner face 3, which will be toward the user when the carrier is worn, and an outer face 4, and it terminates in a tapered end portion 5. Attached to and covering inner face 3 is a knit fabric 6 also having elastic properties. A plurality of hook elements 7 mounted on a base 8 is provided on inner face 3 at tapered end portion 5. Base 8 can be attached by techniques such as sewing, gluing, or other suitable methods. Alternatively, hook elements 7 can be embedded in inner face 3. FIG. 2 is a plan view of belt 1, showing the knit fabric which covers inner face 3, and hook elements 5.

Attached to and covering outer face 4 is a loop fabric 9 having elastic properties and comprising a continuous surface of loop elements 10 which will interact with hook elements 7 to allow belt 1 to encircle the waist or limb of a user. FIG. 3 is a plan view of belt 1 showing the continuous surface of loop elements 10 on loop fabric 9, prior to the formation of the pouch.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a rectangular pouch panel 11. Like belt 1, pouch panel 11 is formed of a pouch core of material having elastic properties and is covered on one side by knit fabric 6 and on the other side by loop fabric 9. Pouch panel 11 has side edges 12 and a bottom edge 13. A transparent vinyl window 14 or an opening can be provided in pouch panel 11 to allow the user to visualize the device being carried.

As shown in FIG. 5, pouch panel 11 is attached to core 2. This can be by sewing or gluing side along edges 12 and bottom edge 13. The result is the formation of pouch 15 having an opening 16. It also results in loop fabric 9 covering both the outer face 4 of core 2 and the outer face of pouch panel 11. An electronic device 17 is shown installed in pouch 15. A releasable strap 18 is provided to secure device 17 in pouch 15. As shown in FIG. 7, releasable strap 18 has ends 19 and 20, and is covered on one side with a plurality of hook elements 21. End 19 is attached to core 2, and end 20 is attachable to the loop elements 10 on pouch panel 11.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, pouch 15 is so oriented as to support the electrical device perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of belt 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 pouch 15 is so oriented as to support the electronic device in the direction of the longitudinal axis of belt 1. However, pouch 15 is not limited to these orientations. The presence of loop elements on both outer face 4 of belt 1 and on pouch panel 11 allows hook elements 7 to fasten the tapered end 5 of belt 1 along the entire length of the belt, even if the desired size causes them to be in alignment with pouch 15. At the same time, loops 10 on pouch panel 11 interact with hooks 21 on the underside of end 20 of strap 18 to hold it in place. The use of materials having elastic properties for the belt and the pouch makes the carrier more comfortable for the user to wear.

Belt 1 can be of various lengths. For example, the length could be about 40 inches if it is to encircle the waist of a user, 17 inches to encircle the user's ankle, and in the range of 17 inches to 25 inches to encircle the user's thigh. Of course, the hook and loop attaching arrangement permits the effective length of each size belt to be altered for exact fit. Pouches also can be of different sizes to fit specific devices. Two examples are a pouch 3.25 inches wide and 3.75 inches high, and a smaller one 2.5 inches wide and 3.25 inches high. The belt can also be of various widths to accommodate the different sizes of pouches.

Claims

1. A carrier for supporting an electronic device comprising:

a substantially flat belt having an inner face, an outer face, and first and second end portions,

fastener means on said inner face at said first end portion,

first fastener engaging means on said outer face extending along the length of said belt between said first and second end portions and being engageable with said fastener means,

a pouch for holding an electronic device formed on said outer face intermediate said first and second end portions, said pouch comprising an outwardly facing pouch surface and an opening through which said electronic device can be inserted,

second fastener engaging means on said outwardly facing pouch surface and being engageable with said fastener means, and

a retainer for selectively covering at least a portion of said opening to retain said device in said pouch.

2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said fastener means comprises a plurality of hook elements and said first and second fastener engaging means each comprise a plurality of loop elements compatible with said plurality of hook elements.

3. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said retainer comprises a strap having a first end attached to said belt and a second end extendable across said opening of said pouch and releaseably attachable to said second fastener engaging means.

4. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said belt has a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion, and wherein said pouch is so oriented as to support said electronic device substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis.

5. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said belt has a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion, and wherein said pouch is so oriented as to support said electronic device at an angle to said longitudinal axis.

6. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a window in said outwardly facing surface of said pouch.

7. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said belt and said pouch are constructed of material having elastic properties.

8. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the length of said belt is in the range of 17 inches to 40 inches to encircle a user's waist.

9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the length of said belt is 17 inches to encircle a user's ankle.

10. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the length of said belt is in the range of 17 inches to 25 inches to encircle a user's thigh.

11. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the height of said pouch is in the range of 3.25 to 3.75 inches and the width of said pouch is in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

12. A carrier for supporting an electronic device comprising:

a substantially flat belt comprising a belt core having elastic properties and defining a belt core inner face, a belt core outer face, and a tapered end portion,

first hook elements attached to said belt core inner face at said tapered end portion,

a first portion of fabric having elastic properties and comprising an outer surface of loop elements engageable with said first hook elements attached to and covering said belt core outer face, whereby said first hook elements can be attached to said first portion of said fabric on said belt core outer face,

a pouch panel having elastic properties attached to said outer face of said belt core to form a pouch having a pouch outer face and an opening through which an electronic device may be inserted into said pouch,

a second portion of fabric having elastic properties and comprising an outer surface of loop elements engageable with said first hook elements attached to and covering said pouch outer face, whereby said first hook elements can be attached to said second portion of said fabric on said pouch outer face, and

a retainer strap for selectively covering at least a portion of said opening in said pouch to retain said device in said pouch, said retainer strap having a first end secured to said belt core and a free end having second hook elements engageable with said loop elements, whereby said strap can be attached to said second portion of said fabric on said pouch outer face.

13. The carrier of claim 12 wherein said belt has a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion, and wherein said pouch is so oriented as to support said electronic device substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis.

14. The carrier of claim 12 wherein said belt has a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion, and wherein said pouch is so oriented as to support said electronic device at an angle to said longitudinal axis.

15. The carrier of claim 12 further comprising a window in said pouch panel.

16. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the length of said belt is in the range of 17 inches to 40 inches to encircle a user's waist.

17. The carrier of claim 16 wherein the length of said belt is 17 inches to encircle a user's ankle.

18. The carrier of claim 16 wherein the length of said belt is in the range of 17 inches to 25 inches to encircle a user's thigh.

19. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the height of said pouch is in the range of 3.25 to 3.75 inches and the width of said pouch is in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

20. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the width of said belt is in the range of 3.25 inches to 3.75 inches.