GARMENT POCKET FOR TOUCH SCREEN MOBILE DEVICES
A garment-engaged pocket housing for portable electronic devices provides a body engaged mount for use of such devices. The pocket housing provides a pocket for the electronic device on the sleeve of a garment. A front wall of the pocket is formed of transparent material allowing finger input to the device within the pocket and a view of the device display. A remote antenna may be provided for reception as well as shielding in the rear of the pocket to protect the user against RF transmission. The pocket housing may be removably engaged. A fabric conduit along the sleeve provides a passageway for earphones and the like while also preventing stretching of the sleeve from the weight of the device.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/383,237 filed on Sep. 15, 2010 and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to securing electronic devices to clothing. More particularly, it relates to a garment pocket configured for employment with electronic devices for storage and transport and use by employing a touch screen.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, handheld electronic devices such as phones, beepers, and smartphone devices, when not in use, are stored in a pants pocket, purse, belt holder, or the like. With advances in technology, the use of these devices has grown from simply making a phone call or listening to music, to also browsing the web and sending emails. As such, the frequency of use of what has evolved into smartphones is predominantly growing in our day and age. Users thus are continually retrieving and replacing the device from and to the conventional pants pocket or purse over the day.
This can become a nuisance and risk of dropping and breaking the device becomes more prevalent due to the increased handling of the device. The price of replacing or repairing these devices is very costly, especially with the advancement in touch screen technology electronics in combination with smartphones. These matters have driven the need to secure such devices to a user's clothing in a fashion allowing for swift and effortless retrieval and re-storage.
Prior art has addressed this need and can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,253,379 to Collier, 5,305,181 to Schultz, 5,924,136 to Ogean, 6,563,424 to Kaario, and 4,731,883 to Foster. However such prior art does not provide permanent engagement to a garment needed for proper security nor adequately allow the user to easily interface with and employ a touch screen operated device.
As such, there is a continuing unmet need for an improved device which will securely engage handheld electronics to a garment. Such a device should secure such electronic devices at a location rendering them easily accessible to the user. Similarly, such a device and method of employment should provide a means for the user to employ the ever-changing pace of handheld technology specifically with that of touch screen interface electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe device herein disclosed and described overcomes the shortcomings of prior art and achieves the above-mentioned goals through the provision of an electronic device pocket formed into a garment sleeve, located near the wrist. The disclosed device provides an opening for which to insert a handheld touch screen interface electronic device for both storage and use over the prior art therein.
The sleeve and pocket architecture of the disclosed device is formed of reinforced webbing, elastic or other means to prevent the device and pocket from shifting position during the sometimes rapid or bumpy movements by the user. Similarly, channeled pull straps about the perimeter of the pocket can be employed to additionally secure the electronic device to sleeve of the garment proximate to the wrist of the user. This is a preferred mode of the device as the added structural support will reduce the user-perceived weight of the electronic device by spreading it to the entire arm and shoulder. This re-distribution of weight severs as a means to reduce fatigue to the user's arm after wearing the device for an extended period of time. As well, the material encapsulating the electronic device may be thermally and electronically insulated and thereby provide a means to shield the wearer from potential harmful EMF radiation generated by the device or heat from a discharging battery.
A transparent window membrane provides a means for the user to view the display upon the enclosed electronic device. Further, the membrane if formed of material, which is compatible with, and therefor allow use of touch screen technology.
The stored electronic device is thus capable of use in a conventional fashion through the employment of icon-based touch screen interfacing in a conventional fashion through the transparent membrane without the need to remove it. The transparent membrane also provides a secondary means for securing the touch screen device to the sleeve and a means to prevent moisture from contacting the smart device during use.
Additionally, the structural support provided by the elasticized pocket to the touch screen operated electronic device is of such a significance to allow for the temporary or permanent removal of the transparent membrane, to allow a means for direct finger contact with the touch screen device for shorter or longer durations if needed. This aspect may deem a more favorable operational mode for electronic devices with extremely sensitive touch screens.
In a preferred mode the disclosed device will incorporate a protective flap to overlap the touch screen device and covering the transparent window membrane. This provides a protective means for more security and protection against damage from abrasion, impact, or moisture. The protective flap may be sewn into one side of the pocket, and can be lifted to expose the electronic device. The flap may also be secured to the sleeve by hook and loop type fasteners. The fastener type should not be considered limiting while this example was simply given for demonstration purposes, other means for such securement as would occur to those skilled in the art such as a snap fit of fasteners of the like, should be considered within the scope of this invention.
Additionally, the operative and protective pocket described herein may also accommodate connecting the electronic device to earphones or microphones by means of a placket inside the pocket material allowing a connection wire to be fed into the pocket and to the electronic device. Additionally, a conduit communicating along the garment fabric from the pocket to an exit aperture on the shoulder area, proximate to the head, may house the headphone or microphone wire while neatly securing it to the garment. A zipper or other means of removable closure of the conduit, such as hook and loop fastener, provides the user with a means to place the wire within the conduit without having to ‘feed’ it through.
It yet another particularly preferred mode the protective pocket of the disclosed device may be removably engaged to the garment by a removable engagement means such as hook and loop fasteners, snap fits, or fasteners of the like. The removable pocket, frame or case may be engaged to the sleeve either under or over the protective flap if a protective flap is used. The removable engagement means of the protective pocket allows for both sleeve mounted protective means as well as handheld protective means when desired by the user.
With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device for operative storage and transport of graphic display based electronic devices. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is an object of this invention to provide a means for a secure and accessible engagement of electronic devices to a garment through the provision of a sewn in pocket proximate to the wrist of a user.
It is another object of the invention to provide a shielded barrier to the wearer from potentially harmful radiation and/or heat produced by electronic devices.
It is yet another object of the invention to incorporate a touch screen compatible transparent window member to allow for unabated accessability while in the as-used position and still protect the device against moisture and dust.
A further object of this invention is the composition of material comprising of reinforced webbing, elastic fabric, or other means to prevent the electronic device once inserted from shifting or dislodging from the pocket during fast movement or impact.
Still yet another object of this invention is the provision of a draw string or other type fastener to supply added support and security to the electronic device.
A yet further object of the device is to provide distribution of weight of the engaged electronic device to the entire arm by the provision of previously mentioned means for securing and engaging the electronic.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a means to connect communication wires to the electronic device via a conduit extending from the electronic device to the shoulder area of the garment.
Still another object of the present invention is to allow for removable engagement of the protective pocket to provide a temporary handheld protective means.
These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
Now referring to drawings in
The device 10 depicted in the various figures should not be considered limiting in any fashion as to location and consequently it may be employed on either sleeve 32 although the device 10 is shown on left sleeve 32 in depictions in this disclosure. Similarly, the positioning of the device 10 along the forearm of the sleeve 32 may be different due to user preference or the actual electronic component to be housed in the pocket of the device 10 herein disclose.
The disclosed device 10 as shown in
Also as shown, in
A communication conduit 23 is sized for enclosure of a wire or wires therein, for instance earphones or a microphone, is seen extending along the sleeve 32 of the garment 30. An entrance aperture 27 is located proximate to the pocket housing 31 and adjacent to the electronic device 20 (
Particularly preferred however is the zipper 25 (
When closed as in
The electronic device 20 in
The pocket 22 is defined by a front wall 47 shown as the transparent membrane 24 as depicted in
Additionally, the membrane 24 functioning as the front wall 47, continuously provides a means to secure the electronic device 20 within the pocket 22 and onto the sleeve 32, while affording protection to the electronic device 20 from contact with moisture such as rain, which can cause serious harm to the electronic device 20, as well as impacts and scratching from abrasion.
In one preferred mode of the device 10, a drawstrings 16 is channeled about the perimeter 18 of the pocket 22 of the pocket housing 31. This drawstring 16 when pulled tight by the user, shrinks the perimeter of the fabric pocket 22, and provides a means to further secure the electronic device 20 in the as-used position by providing an inward bias to the perimeter of the pocket 22.
Another preferred mode of the device 10 is seen in
The shield 33 may be incorporated into any version or mode of the device 10 herein and is particularly preferred to prevent RF exposure. Material which lends itself to being flexible yet shielding RF includes flexible or woven or knitted conductor material such as Mylar, Nickel or Copper or a metal or silver-coated polyester or nylon mesh. Other flexible fabrics having conductivity as would occur to those skilled in the art may be employed.
The antenna 37 can be hardwired to the electronic device 20 with the appropriate lead wire 39, or in a particularly preferred mode, the antenna 37 will be in a parasitic electronic engagement to the antenna of the electronic device 20 as in
Configuring the device 10 with a parasitic antenna engagement can be optimized such as in
This mode of the device 10, allows the user to temporarily employ the electronic device 20 along with protective pocket 22 and membrane 24, with the formed casing 21, in a handheld manner and easily secure it back to the sleeve 32 of the garment when desired. It must be noted that such a casing 21 and removable engagement means may be employed in all modes of the device 10 previously presented. The removable pocket 22 may be engaged to the sleeve 32, either under or over the protective flap 14, if a protective flap 14 is employed. In all modes of removable engagement of the casing 21 having a pocket 22, the functional control of the electronic device 20 is maintained.
It should be further noted, that it is especially preferred that the present device 10 in all modes employ electromagnetic shield 33 material between the pocket 22 and the user's skin, to provide a means to protect the wearer against potentially dangerous EMF radiation generated by such electronic device 20 and noted above. Further, the shield 33 provides a means to protect the user against the annoyance or injury from heat generated by the dissipating battery operating the electronic device 20 in the as-used position. Conducting metallic based shielding or shield 33 will when positioned as the rear wall 47 or adjacent to the rear wall 47 of the pocket 22, act as a heat sink for such heat as well as an RF shield. However bubble pack, gel, or other insulating fabrics may be used in addition to the shielding 33 to protect against heat.
While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the garment pocket for touch screen mobile devices system have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions as would occur to those skilled in the art, are included within the scope of the disclosed system and apparatus herein as defined, but not limited, by the following claims.
Claims
1. A garment pocket for electronic devices, comprising:
- a pocket housing positioned on a sleeve of said garment, said pocket housing having a pocket defined by a front wall engaged to a rear wall, and having at least one open side edge for insertion of an electronic device within said pocket into an engaged position;
- said front wall formed of substantially transparent material thereby providing a means to view a display screen of said electronic device therethrough;
- said transparent material allowing for an electrical communication of a user's finger with said display screen of said electronic device when positioned in said pocket.
2. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 1 additionally comprising:
- a cover, said cover engaged to said garment on a first side edge, said cover positionable between a close position covering said front wall of said pocket housing, and an open position out of a user's view of said front wall.
3. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 1 additionally comprising:
- a fabric conduit communicating on said sleeve between a first end adjacent to a shoulder of said garment, and a second end, at or adjacent to said pocket housing; and
- said conduit providing a passage for communication of wires between said electronic device, and said first end of said conduit.
4. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 2 additionally comprising:
- a fabric conduit communicating on said sleeve between a first end adjacent to a shoulder of said garment, and a second end, at or adjacent to said pocket housing; and
- said conduit providing a passage for communication of wires between said electronic device, and said first end of said conduit.
5. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 3 additionally comprising:
- a opening running a distance between said first end and said second end of said fabric conduit;
- a non-stretching closure for said opening; and
- said non-stretching closure providing means to prevent a stretching of said sleeve from weight of said electronic device in said pocket.
6. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 4 additionally comprising:
- a opening running a distance between said first end and said second end of said fabric conduit;
- a non-stretching closure for said opening; and
- said non-stretching closure providing means to prevent a stretching of said sleeve from weight of said electronic device in said pocket.
7. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 1 additionally comprising:
- a flexible RF shield forming said rear wall or adjacent thereto; and
- said RF shield providing means to shield an arm of said user from RF energy of said electronic device.
8. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 2 additionally comprising:
- a flexible RF shield forming said rear wall or adjacent thereto; and
- said RF shield providing means to shield an arm of said user from RF energy of said electronic device.
9. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 1 additionally comprising:
- a remote antenna positioned upon said sleeve; and
- means for an electrical communication of said remote antenna with an antenna of said electronic device.
10. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 2 additionally comprising:
- a remote antenna positioned upon one of said cover or said sleeve; and
- means for an electrical communication of said remote antenna with an antenna of said electronic device.
11. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 7 additionally comprising:
- a remote antenna positioned upon said sleeve; and
- means for an electrical communication of said remote antenna with an antenna of said electronic device.
12. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 8 additionally comprising:
- a remote antenna positioned upon one of said cover or said sleeve; and
- means for an electrical communication of said remote antenna with an antenna of said electronic device.
13. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 1 additionally comprising:
- said pocket housing removably engageable to said sleeve.
14. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 2 additionally comprising:
- said pocket housing removably engageable to said sleeve.
15. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 5 additionally comprising:
- said pocket housing removably engageable to said sleeve.
16. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 6 additionally comprising:
- said pocket housing removably engageable to said sleeve.
17. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 11 additionally comprising:
- said pocket housing removably engageable to said sleeve.
18. The garment pocket for electronic devices of claim 12 additionally comprising:
- said pocket housing removably engageable to said sleeve.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 31, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2012
Inventor: Ben Raviv (San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 12/983,250
International Classification: A41D 27/20 (20060101);