APPARATUS FOR CARRYING HAND-HELD WIRELESS ELECTRONIC DEVICE
An apparatus and method to enable the carrying of a wireless device safely and securely while adding protection to the device and while preserving accessibility for use of the device with minimal adverse impact on such use. The apparatus and method enable a plurality of structures for carrying the wireless device.
The present application relates generally to the field of personal electronic devices, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for enabling a user of such devices to safely and conveniently carry them.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPersonal electronic wireless devices such as mobile telephones, personal audio and video players, and personal electronic work aids have become increasingly popular and widely used over the past decade. This development has created a market for protective cases for these devices. These cases generally perform their primary function of protecting the wireless device but typically do not address another common user requirement—some means for carrying the wireless device on or near one's person in such a manner as to preserve ready accessibility. Carrying the wireless device in a pocket or purse often defeats rapid access to the device when needed, for example, to answer a wireless telephone or to make entries onto a personal electronic work aid.
A protective case for a wireless device provides an opportunity to incorporate such a carrying means insofar as the wireless device is generally safely and firmly attached or enclosed in the case. However, protective cases which do make an effort to provide for carrying have heretofore involved some sort of additional holder mounted on the case that can be attached to a person's belt or clipped onto a purse. Such holders may be bulky and often interfere with handling the device during use. Satisfactory protective cases for wireless devices which provide a means both for protecting the device as well as for carrying the device without adding bulk and which does this while providing good accessibility for use of the device with minimal interference are generally not available.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is a purpose of embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for protecting a wireless device which also provides a means for safely and securely carrying the device while preserving accessibility for use of the device with minimal adverse impact on such use. It is a further purpose of the embodiments of the present invention to provide such means with flexible and multiple methods of carrying available to the user. It is also a purpose of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a means for safely and securely carrying a wireless device without also requiring that the device be enclosed in a protective case.
The following summary of the invention embodiments is provided to enable an understanding of some of the invention's novel features but is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the aspects of the various embodiments will be provided by the entire specification, claims, drawing, and abstract as a whole.
One feature of embodiments of the invention is to provide a structure which serves to protect a wireless device and which also provides a means by which a user may conveniently and securely carry the device.
A further feature is to provide adaptability to a plurality of means by which wireless devices may be carried by the person, such as by attachment to clothing or an article being carried by or worn by the user of the device, or by carrying it using a lanyard around the neck or wrist.
A further feature is to provide a structure which enables a user of a wireless device to conveniently and securely carry the device without a requirement that the device be enclosed in a protective case.
The objects, advantages, features, and other desirable characteristics of embodiments of the invention can be readily perceived from the following detailed description and attached drawings, in which:
One side 12 of the protective case will be adjacent to the back side of the wireless device. U-shaped slit 15 is cut through the back as shown in
In this embodiment, carrying of the wireless device with protective case 10 installed is accomplished by means of lanyard 21 to which is attached spring-activated clip 22, as shown in
Lanyard 21 may be held by the user for carrying the wireless device or wrapped around the user's wrist or hung from their neck. Alternatively, the lanyard may be tied to a piece of clothing, to a belt, to a purse, or to a briefcase, to a backpack strap, or to any other convenient point of attachment, providing secure carrying of the wireless device as well as convenient and rapid access when needed.
The embodiment shown in
In this embodiment, the means for attaching lanyard 30 to protective case 10 is slot 29 through back 12 of the protective case, the slot having top edge 28 and bottom edge 27.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in
Additional embodiments of the invention are shown in
In each of the embodiments shown in
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications and combinations are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. There is not intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact disclosures herein presented.
Claims
1. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising:
- a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device,
- the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure.
2. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 1, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
3. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 2, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
4. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising:
- a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device,
- the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure,
- wherein the attachment structure is a tab formed by a generally U-shaped portion of the back of the protective case, the tab positioned at an angle out of the plane of the remainder of the back and in a direction away from the wireless device, said angle being selected from the group comprising zero degrees and an angle greater than zero degrees.
5. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 4, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
6. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 5, wherein the attachment device is a spring-activated clamp, the spring-activated clamp having two jaws and wherein the tab is clamped between the jaws.
7. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 6, wherein the tab contains a slot and wherein the two jaws of the spring-activated clamp contact each other within the slot.
8. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 6, wherein the tab contains a rib and wherein tab is clamped between the two jaws at a location between the rib and the wireless device.
9. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 5, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
10. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising:
- a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device,
- the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure, wherein the attachment structure is two slots generally parallel to each other, the two slots being separated by a web in the back of the protective case.
11. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 10, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
12. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the attachment device is a spring-activated clamp, the spring-activated clamp having two jaws and wherein the web is clamped between the two jaws of the spring-activated clamp.
13. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 11, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
14. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising:
- a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device,
- the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure wherein the attachment structure is a slot through the back of the protective case, the slot having a top edge and a bottom edge.
15. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 14, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
16. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 14, wherein the attachment device is a clasp having an entry portion and a stop portion, wherein the entry portion is inserted through the slot and is located between the back of the protective case and the wireless device and the stop portion is in contact with the top edge.
17. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 15, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
18. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising:
- a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device, the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure, wherein the attachment structure is a T-shaped slot through the back of the protective case, the T-shaped slot having an entry slot portion and a locking slot portion.
19. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 18, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
20. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 19, wherein the attachment device is a clasp having an entrance clasp portion and a locking post clasp portion, wherein the entrance clasp portion is located between the back of the protective case and the wireless device and the lock post clasp portion is located within the locking slot portion of the T-shaped slot.
21. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 19, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard being connected to the attachment device.
22. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising:
- a protective sheet affixed to the back of the wireless device, the protective sheet incorporating an attachment structure.
23. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 22, wherein the attachment structure is a tab formed by a generally U-shaped portion of the protective sheet, the tab positioned at an angle out of the plane of the remainder of the protective sheet and in a direction away from the wireless device, said angle being selected from the group comprising zero degrees and an angle greater than zero degrees.
24. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 22, wherein the protective sheet is affixed to the back of the wireless device by means of an adhesive.
25. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 23, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
26. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 25, wherein the attachment device is a spring-activated clamp, the spring-activated clamp having two jaws and wherein the tab is clamped between the jaws.
27. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 26, wherein the tab contains a slot and wherein the two jaws of the spring-activated clamp contact each other within the slot.
28. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 26, wherein the tab contains a rib and wherein tab is clamped between the two jaws at a location between the rib and the wireless device.
29. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 25, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
30. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising:
- enclosing at least a part of the wireless device within a protective case, the protective case incorporating an attachment structure.
31. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising:
- enclosing at least a part of the wireless device within a protective case, the protective case incorporating an attachment structure; and
- attaching a lanyard having an attachment device to the attachment structure by means of the attachment device.
32. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising:
- affixing a protective sheet to the back of the wireless device, the protective sheet incorporating an attachment structure.
33. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising:
- affixing a protective sheet to the back of the wireless device, the protective sheet incorporating an attachment structure; and
- attaching a lanyard having an attachment device to the attachment structure by means of the attachment device.
Type: Application
Filed: May 13, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2012
Inventor: Roger B. Souders (Oceanside, CA)
Application Number: 13/107,275
International Classification: A45C 13/30 (20060101); A45F 5/00 (20060101);