Wrist holder for cell phones

Abstract

A holder for holding a cell phone includes a body portion formed of flexible sheet material. One surface of the body portion is completely covered by a layer of a synthetic hook or loop fastener component. Converging straps of the holder resist movement of the holder and any cell phone releasably attached to the layer of synthetic hook or loop fastener component relative to a wearer's wrist.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a holder for holding a cell phone or other portable wireless instrument on a wrist of an individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to utilize holders to releasably retain a cell phone and other types of portable devices on the wrist of a user.

The following patent documents disclose holders of such type considered to be representative of the state of the prior art in the field: U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,824, issued Jul. 17, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,467, issued Sep. 28, 2004, U.S. Design Pat. No. D391,075, issued Feb. 24, 1998, U.S. Design Pat. No. D527,893, issued Sep. 12, 2006, U.S. Design Pat. No. D616,197, issued May 25, 2010, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2006/0201978, published Sep. 14, 2006, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2006/0124675, published Jun. 15, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,347, issued Apr. 23, 1991, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2003/0222109, published Dec. 4, 2003, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2011/0031289, published Feb. 10, 2011, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2009/0321483, published Dec. 31, 2009, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. U.S. 2009/0039121, published Feb. 12, 2009, Japanese Patent No. JP2003230419, dated Aug. 19, 2003 and European Patent No. DE202005001455U1, dated May 12, 2005.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to a holder characterized by its simplicity, relatively low cost and versatility as compared with the prior art arrangements. Furthermore, the holder of the present invention allows a user to quickly and readily remove a cell phone from the holder as well as readily and easily reconnect the cell phone to the holder. The holder structure can itself be readily and quickly applied to a wearer's wrist or removed therefrom. When on the wrist, the holder structure maintains the holder in position on the wrist in a stable manner and movement of the holder and phone relative to a wearer's wrist is resisted.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holder of unitary construction for holding a cell phone or other portable wireless instrument on a wrist.

The holder includes a body portion formed of flexible sheet material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The body portion is of generally isosceles triangular-shaped configuration having three sides and three apices.

A first lobe is formed at a first apex of the apices and a second lobe is formed at a second apex of the apices. The first lobe and the second lobe project outwardly away from one another in diametric opposition.

The body portion has a central segment positioned substantially midway between the first and second apices and extending to the third apex.

The holder also includes a layer of synthetic hook or loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material covering the top surface of the flexible sheet material.

A layer of synthetic hook or loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material covers at least one of the first and second lobes at the bottom surface of the flexible sheet material for selective fastening to the synthetic hook or loop component covering the top surface of the flexible sheet material to secure the holder to and about the wrist of an individual.

The holder includes side straps stabilizing the holder to resist movement of the holder relative to a wearer's wrist.

Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention retaining a cell phone and cell phone case in position on a wearer's wrist;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the cell phone and case removed from the holder;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view illustrating the cell phone and components of the case separated from one another;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the body portion of the holder covered by a component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the body portion and illustrating a pad attached thereto and a layer of a synthetic hook or loop component attached to a lobe of the body portion;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view as observed from the bottom of the holder;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view as viewed in the direction of the arrows 7-7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating structural components of the holder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a cell phone without outer case with a piece of synthetic hook or loop fastener material prior to direct attachment thereof to the phone; and

FIG. 10 shows the cell phone without outer case directly attached to the holder.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is designated by reference numeral 10. The holder is for holding a cell phone or other portable wireless instrument on a wrist. FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrate the holder wrapped about a user's wrist and holding a cell phone 12 in position thereon. In this illustrated approach, the cell phone 12 is partially covered by a case 14 and the case itself is secured to the holder. However, as will be seen below, the cell phone 12 may also be directly applied to the holder without a case. FIG. 3 shows the cell phone 12 separate and removed from two case components 16, 18. This phone/case arrangement is known per se in the prior art.

The holder 10 includes a body portion 20 formed of flexible sheet material having a top surface and a bottom surface. One such suitable flexible sheet material is leather.

The body portion is of generally isosceles triangular-shaped configuration having three sides and three apices. A first lobe 22 is formed at a first apex of the apices and a second lobe 26 is formed at a second apex of the apices. The first lobe 22 and the second lobe 26 project outwardly away from one another in diametric opposition. In this embodiment second lobe 26 is somewhat elongated as compared to the first lobe. The body portion 20 has a central segment 30 positioned substantially midway between the first and second apices and extending to a third apex 32.

A layer 40 of a synthetic loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material of the type for example sold under the Velcro brand covers the top surface of the flexible sheet material of the body portion.

A layer 42 of a synthetic hook component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material is attached to second lobe 26 at the bottom surface of the flexible sheet material. This is for selective fastening to the synthetic loop component 40 covering the top surface of the flexible sheet material to secure the holder to and about the wrist of an individual as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. Of course, if desired, layer 40 may be hook material and layer 42 may be loop material.

Two spaced openings 46, 48 are formed in the body portion 20. The spaced openings 46, 48 and the outer peripheral edge of the body portion define two side straps 50, 52. The side straps extend from the first and second apices (lobes 22, 26) and converge in the direction of the third apex 32. The side straps stabilize the holder to resist movement of the holder relative to a wearer's wrist. They keep the cell phone from going side to side and up and down while also keeping the cell phone snug to the wrist.

The cell phone is releasably held in place by a piece 60 of a hook component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material applied to the case 14 as shown in FIG. 2. Of course, if layer 40 were hook material rather than loop material as illustrated, the piece 60 would be loop fastener material.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a piece 70 of hook material applied directly to the cell phone 12, no outer case being utilized.

When the cell phone 12 is attached to the holder either directly or through utilization of a case, the phone is ready to use hands free.

A pad 76 (for example formed of neoprene) is disposed at the bottom surface of the flexible sheet material at the central segment 30. The neoprene may suitably be covered by pig skin and sewn in place.

Claims

1. A holder of unitary construction for holding a cell phone or other portable wireless instrument on a wrist, said holder including in combination:

a body portion formed of flexible sheet material having a top surface and a bottom surface of generally isosceles triangular-shaped configuration having three sides and three apices, a first lobe formed at a first apex of said apices and a second lobe formed at a second apex of said apices, said first Lobe and said second lobe projecting outwardly away from one another in diametric opposition, said body portion having a central segment positioned substantially midway between said first and second apices and extending to said third apex;

a layer of a synthetic hook or loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material covering the top surface of said flexible sheet material; and

a layer of a synthetic hook or loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material covering at least one of the first and second lobes at the bottom surface of said flexible sheet material for selective fastening to the synthetic hook or loop component covering the top surface of said flexible sheet material to secure the holder to and about the wrist of an individual.

2. The holder according to claim 1 wherein said central segment is partially defined by two spaced openings formed in said body portion.

3. The holder according to claim 2 wherein said body portion includes two side straps defined by said spaced openings and the outer peripheral edge of said body portion.

4. The holder according to claim 3 wherein said side straps extend from said first and second apices and converge in the direction of said third apex, said straps stabilizing said holder to resist movement of said holder relative to a wearer's wrist.

5. The holder according to claim 1 additionally comprising a pad secured to the bottom surface of said flexible sheet material at said central segment.

6. The holder according to claim 1 wherein said body portion is leather.

7. In combination:

a holder of unitary construction for holding a cell phone or other portable wireless instrument on a wrist, said holder including a body portion formed of flexible sheet material having a top surface and a bottom surface of generally isosceles triangular-shaped configuration having three sides and three apices, a first lobe formed at a first apex of said apices and a second lobe formed at second apex of said apices, said first lobe and said second lobe projecting outwardly away from one another in diametric opposition, said body portion having a central segment positioned substantially midway between said first and second apices and extending to said third apex, a layer of a synthetic hook or loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material covering the top surface of said flexible sheet material, and a layer of a synthetic hook or loop component of synthetic hook and loop fastener material covering at least one of the first and second lobes at the bottom surface of said flexible sheet material for selective fastening to the synthetic hook or loop component covering the top surface of said flexible sheet material to secure the holder to and about the wrist of an individual;

a cell phone; and

a piece of synthetic hook or loop fastener material attached directly to said cell phone or to a case holding said cell phone to releasably retain said cell phone on the wrist of the individual.