Holding Article For Hand-Holdable Electronic Devices

Abstract

A joint hand and hand-holdable electronic device holdable article for being releasably retained on the device, the article having (i) device-retaining means for releasably retaining the article to the device; and (ii) hand-receiving means for releasably receiving a user's hand in abutment whereby the article receives the hand in a non-grip balanced stress-free manner. Use of the article with preferably a tablet computer or display hand-holdable device prevents or reduces ache, stress and other discomfort to the hand.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a holding article for hand-holdable electronic devices, particularly, tablet computers and hand-held displace devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Constant hand holding and gripping of electronic devices over significant periods of time can cause ache and stress and discomfort in the hand.

There is clearly a need to at least reduce, if not completely prevent, such discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a holding article for hand-holdable electronic devices, particularly, tablet computers and hand-held display devices that allow the user a comfortable one hand use of the device which rests on the user's hand.

Preferably, the article has a portion that is molded to the shape of the hand, preferably to conform to the shape of the index and middle finger.

The article may be shaped to be engaged in both a portrait and landscape orientation or mode, and set down on a surface at an angle for typing and acting as a tilted stand.

A most preferred article has a wrap-over feature to offer a balanced stress-free ability to be held without the hand requiring any gripping effort.

Accordingly, in a broad aspect, the invention provides a joint hand and hand-holdable electronic device holdable article for being releasably retained on said device, said article comprising

(i) device-retaining means for releasably retaining said article to said device; and

(ii) hand-receiving means for releasably receiving a user's hand in abutment whereby said article receives said hand in a non-grip balanced stress-free manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides an article as hereinabove defined comprising a planar member formed of a suitable material having a first surface and a second surface, said member having

i) a first upstanding terminal portion which overlaps a portion of said first surface as to define a hand-receiving recess whereby a portion of a user's hand is operably received and retained in said hand-receiving recess in said stress-free manner; and

ii) a second terminal portion upstanding opposite said first terminal portion and which overlaps a portion of said second surface as to define a hand-holdable electronic device-receiving recess whereby a portion of a hand-holdable electronic device is received and retained.

By the term “upstanding opposite” in this specification and claims is meant that the hand-receiving upstanding portion is upstanding from and over the first surface while the device-receiving upstanding portion is upstanding from and over the second surface.

The first surface is, most preferably, when in use, the upper surface which receives the hand when attached to the device, while the second surface is the lower surface that abuts the surface of the device.

The member is, preferably, formed of a plastics material, a composite plastics material or a metal.

The hand-receiving recess is adapted, preferably, to receive only an index finger or the index and adjacent middle finger of a hand.

In preferred embodiments, the second terminal portion comprises a plurality of device-receiving recesses, preferably, a pair of longitudinal aligned device-receiving recesses.

More preferably the second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

In most preferred embodiments, the invention provides an article as hereinabove defined wherein said first upstanding terminal portion has an outer surface and comprises a raised protrusion extending from said outer surface which protrusion provides support means to enable said article to be operably vertically aligned.

The hand-holdable electronic device is, preferably, but not exclusively selected from a tablet computer and a display device.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a combination of a holdable article, as hereinabove defined, attached to a hand-holdable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be better understood, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article according to the invention resting on the palm of a hand;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combination of an article retained on a tablet computer according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an article and tablet computer combination, as shown in FIG. 2, as held by a hand, according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of an article and tablet computer combination according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of an I-Pad and article combination, according to the invention; and wherein the same numerals denote like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows generally as 10 an inverted planar member having a lower surface 12 and an upper surface 14, as generally used in practise when retained to the electronic device.

Member 10 has an upstanding terminal portion 16 which overlaps a portion 18 of upper surface 14 to define a hand-receiving recess 20. Member 10 has a trio of upstanding second terminal portions 22, 24, 26 which also overlap lower surface 12 as to define hand-holdable electronic device-receiving recess 28, 30, 32, respectively, whereby a portion of the tablet computer 34 electronic device is received and retained (FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 shows generally also as an inverted version 10, a planar member having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 12. Member 10 has an upstanding terminal portion 16 which overlaps a portion 18 of upper surface 14 to define a hand-receiving recess 20. Member 10 has a pair of upstanding second terminal portions 22, 24 which overlap lower surface 12 to define device-receiving recesses 28, 30, respectively, whereby a portion (not shown) of tablet computer 34 is received and retained to member 10.

FIG. 3 shows the combination of member 10 and device 34 held by left hand 36. In this embodiment, index finger 38 is within recess 20. On top of curved portion 16 is a raised protrusion 40 that acts as a support when member 10 is used as a stand when the display device is laid on a surface of, for example, a desk, for typing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of article 10 in combination with table computer 34.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of an IPad 42 retained on an article 10 by terminal portions 22, 24 and 26.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to those particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalence of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated.

Claims

1. A joint hand and hand-holdable electronic device holdable article for being releasably retained on said device, said article comprising

(i) a planar member formed of a material having a first surface and a second surface;

(ii) hand-receiving means for releasably receiving a user's hand in abutment comprising a first upstanding terminal portion which overlaps a portion of said first surface as to define a hand-receiving recess whereby a portion of said user's hand is operably received and retained in said hand-receiving recess; and

(iii) device retaining means for releasably retaining said article to said device comprising a second terminal portion upstanding opposite said first terminal portion and which overlaps a portion of said second surface as to define a hand-holdable electronic device-receiving recess whereby a portion of said hand-holdable electronic device is received and retained; and

wherein said first upstanding terminal portion has an outer surface and comprises a raised protrusion extending from said outer surface which protrusion provides support means to enable said article to be operably vertically aligned.

2. The article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said planar member is formed of a plastics material, a composite plastics material or a metal.

3. The article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hand-receiving recess is adapted to receive only an index finger or said index and adjacent middle finger of a hand.

4. The article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a plurality of said device-receiving recesses.

5. The article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a plurality of said device-receiving recesses.

6. The article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a pair of longitudinal aligned device-receiving recesses.

7. The article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a pair of longitudinal aligned device-receiving recesses.

8. The article as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a pair of longitudinal aligned device-receiving recesses.

9. The article as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a pair of longitudinal aligned device-receiving recesses.

10. The article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

11. The article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

12. The article as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

13. The article as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

14. The article as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

15. The article as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second terminal portion comprises a device-receiving first recess along a first edge and a device-receiving second recess along a second edge.

16. The article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hand-holdable electronic device is selected from a tablet computer and a display device.

17. A combination of a holdable article as claimed in claim 1 attached to said electronic hand-holdable device.

18. A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein said device is selected from said tablet computer and said display device.