WRIST-BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CARRY MOBILE DEVICE(S)

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed to convenient carry a mobile device, among others, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case to enclose the mobile device, the case having first and second ends; a wrist brace tether coupled to the first end of the case; and a finger tether coupled to the second end of the case.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention pertains to wrist-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s).

Personal electronic devices have become extremely popular, providing on-the-go entertainment and data access as well as mobile phone service. Other personal electronic devices such as music players and video players have also gained in use and popularity.

Personal electronic devices are often carried in a pocket or purse, or may be attached to a holster attached to a belt. While some cases may offer protection alone, this protection often fails to provide quick access, ease of use and may take up room in a pocket or handbag.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, systems and methods are disclosed to convenient carry a mobile device, among other devices, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case to enclose the mobile device, the case having first and second ends; a wrist brace tether coupled to the first end of the case; and a finger tether coupled to the second end of the case.

Implementations of the systems may include one or more of the following. A finger ring can be worn on a finger and secured to the finger tether. A wrist brace can be worn on a wrist and slidably connected to the wrist base tether. One end of the wrist brace tether can be a ring securing the wrist brace to the case. The case can include a lockable lid to enclose the mobile device inside the case when the lid is closed and to provide access to the mobile device when the lid is opened. A pin can be inserted into the case to secure a mobile device housing to the case. A purse can be rotatably attached to the wrist brace. An identification card enclosure can be rotatably attached to the wrist brace. The wrist brace can be a wrist band and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist band. The wrist brace can be a pad or a band with loops mounted on one side and adapted to a second pad or band with hooks on the other side of the wrist brace. The wrist brace can be a pad or band with Velcro or suitable loop and hook attachments mounted on one side and adapted to a second band with suitable loop and hook attachments on the other side of the wrist brace. The wrist brace can be pivotably and rotatably coupled to the first end of the case. A mobile device housing can be attached to the case. An unlockable pin can be used to secure the mobile device housing to the case while allowing the mobile device housing to move to a landscape position or a vertical position.

In another aspect, a method of carrying a mobile device includes inserting the mobile device into a case with first and second ends; attaching the first end of the case to a wrist attachment; and hanging the mobile device from the wrist attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus to carry a mobile device.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary hanging configuration where the case hangs off the wrist brace.

FIG. 3 shows a multiple-accessory carrying embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4B show the phone in landscape view mode and vertical view mode, respectively.

FIGS. 5A-5B show exemplary inside views of the carrying apparatus, while FIG. 5C shows an exemplary outside view of the carrying apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram showing the assembly of the housing to the bottom cover.

FIGS. 7A-7B show exemplary inside and outside views of the wrist brace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments.

In the following paragraphs, the preferred embodiment will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the preferred embodiment and any equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the preferred embodiment throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus to carry a mobile device (such as a telephone, camera, or a music player, among others). The apparatus includes a case 104 to enclose a mobile device housing 102. The mobile device housing 102 can receive a suitable device such as a cellular telephone or music player, among others. The case has first and second ends 106 and 108, respectively. The apparatus also has a wrist brace tether 110 coupled to the first end 106 of the case 104. A finger tether 112 is positioned at the second end 108 of the case 104. A user can wear a finger ring 114 on a finger (such as the middle finger) and hook or otherwise connect the finger ring 114 to the finger tether 112 to secure the second end 108 of the case 104.

A wrist brace 116 is worn on a wrist of the user. The brace 116 slidably engages the wrist base tether 110 to allow movement of the case 104. In one embodiment, the wrist brace tether 110 forms a loop around the wrist brace 116 and the loop can slide around the brace 116.

In one embodiment, one end of the wrist brace tether 110 is attached to a ring 118 to secure the wrist brace 116 to the first end 106 of the case 104. The ring is rotatably attached to the case 104 to allow the case 104 to swivel if needed.

The case 104 includes a lockable lid 120 to enclose the mobile device housing 102 inside the case 104 when the lid 120 is closed and to provide access to the mobile device 102 when the lid 120 is opened. A rivet 122 with an unlockable pin is provided on the case 104 to secure the mobile device housing 102 to the case 104. The rivet 122 allows the mobile device housing 102 to be rotatably attached to the case 104, as shown in more details in FIGS. 4A-4B.

The wrist brace 116 wraps around the user's wrist as shown in FIG. 1. Wrist brace 116 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as leather, fabric, or plastic. Closure of the wrist brace 116 may be by a variety of means, including but not limited to: Velcro, threaded loop and stitching/gluing, clips, buckles, or other means.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary hanging configuration where the case 104 hangs off the wrist brace 116. In this configuration, a second ring 128 is connected to the ring 118, and the ring 128 can be opened by a lock/unlock button 129 so that the second ring 128 can be clipped to the ring 118. The lock/unlock button 129 in turn is secured to the case 104 through a first rivet 113A. Similarly, the finger tether 112 is secured to the case 104 through a second rivet 113B. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the finger tether 112 has a small ring 115 that is connected to the finger ring 114.

FIG. 2 supports carrying the mobile device while allow the hand wearing the wrist brace to perform other tasks. During use, the mobile device is inserted into the housing 102 which is secured to the case 104. Next, a user slips his/her finger into the finger ring 114. The user then wears the wrist brace 116 and clips the ring 128 to the ring to secure the case 104 to the finger and wrist of the user.

FIG. 3 shows a multiple-accessory carrying embodiment. This embodiment handles wearing of a purse 130 and an ID card container 140. Similar to the phone case 104, the purse 130 and ID card enclosure 140 are rotatably connected to the ring 118 of the wrist brace tether 110. The tether 110 in turn secures the phone case 104, purse 130 and ID card enclosure 140 to the wrist brace 116 which are worn by the user.

FIGS. 4A-4B show the phone in landscape view mode and vertical view mode, respectively. The case 104 is flexibly tethered to the finger and wrist through the rivets 113A-113B, while the mobile device housing 102 is rotatably attached to the case 104 through the unlockable rivet 122.

FIGS. 5A-5B show exemplary inside views of the carrying apparatus, while FIG. 5C shows an exemplary outside view of the carrying apparatus. In FIGS. 5A-5B, the apparatus has a top cover 200 and a bottom cover 210. A rivet pin hole 212 receives a rivet with an unlockable head 214 to secure the housing 102 to the bottom cover 210. A suitable loop and hook attachments attachment pad 216 is mounted on the inside of the lockable lid 120. When closed, the Loop and hook attachments attachment pad 216 attaches to a corresponding Loop and hook attachments attachment pad 217 on the outside of the bottom cover 210. The Loop and hook attachments attachment pads 216-217 securely close the carrying case 104.

FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram showing the assembly of the housing 102 to the bottom cover 210. A recessed region 232 with an opening at the center is provided to receive a pin 230. A washer 234 is positioned between the housing 102 and the bottom cover 210. A pin receptacle or head 214 receives the pin 230 to secure the housing 102 to the bottom cover 210, yet allowing the housing 102 to be able to rotate to a vertical view mode or a landscape view mode.

FIGS. 7A-7B show exemplary inside and outside views of the wrist brace 116. The wrist brace 116 can include a wrist band and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist band. The wrist brace 116 can be a band with loops mounted on one side and adapted to a second band with hooks on the other side of the wrist brace. The wrist brace can also be a band 310 with Loop and hook attachments mounted on one side and adapted to a second band 312 with Loop and hook attachments on the other side of the wrist brace. The wrist brace 116 is pivotably and rotatably coupled to the first end of the case.

The apparatus described above provides for an efficient and convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personal electronic device, purse, and/or ID cards that can be attached to a user's wrist. The device incorporates a case which provides protection for the personal electronic device and a wrist attachment to allow the user to move the device into position for use, rotate and extend the device as needed for use, and then move the device into a stowed position on the underside of a user's wrist.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example of the preferred embodiment, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the embodiment. The present system is not restricted to the illustrated example designs or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative designs and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the present apparatus. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the above system is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present system should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be distributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

The foregoing description of various disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Various modifications and alterations of the above apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language.

Claims

1. An apparatus to carry a mobile device, comprising:

a. a case to enclose the mobile device, the case having first and second ends;

b. a wrist brace tether coupled to the first end of the case; and

c. a finger tether coupled to the second end of the case.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a finger ring wearable on a finger and coupled to the finger tether.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a wrist brace adapted to be worn on a wrist and slidably coupled to the wrist base tether.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one end of the wrist brace tether comprises a ring securing the wrist brace to the case.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising attachment pads to secure the wrist brace to a wearer.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wrist brace carries multiple accessories, including a purse rotatably coupled to the wrist brace.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wrist brace carries multiple accessories, including an identification card enclosure rotatably coupled to the wrist brace.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wrist brace comprises a wrist band and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist band.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wrist brace comprises a band with loops mounted on one side and adapted to a second band with hooks on the other side of the wrist brace.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wrist brace comprises a pad with Loop and hook attachments mounted on one side and adapted to attach a second pad with Loop and hook attachments on another side of the wrist brace.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wrist brace is pivotably and rotatably coupled to the first end of the case.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a lockable lid to enclose the mobile device inside the case when the lid is closed and to provide access to the mobile device when the lid is opened.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a mobile device housing coupled to the case.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, comprising an unlockable pin to secure the mobile device housing to the case while allowing the mobile device housing to move to a landscape position or a vertical position.

15. A method of carrying a mobile device, comprising:

inserting the mobile device into a case with first and second ends;

attaching the first end of the case to a wrist attachment; and

hanging the mobile device from the wrist attachment.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising securing the second end to a finger attachment and wearing the finger attachment on a finger.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising locking or unlocking a lid on the case to access the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 15, comprising carrying multiple accessories including a purse using the wrist attachment.

19. The method of claim 15, carrying multiple accessories including an identification card holder using the wrist attachment.

20. The method of claim 15, comprising rotating the mobile device to view images in a landscape position or a vertical position.