Tablet Computer Glove

Abstract

An improved tablet computer glove which allows those with arthritis in their hands to use tablet computers without the discomfort their affliction causes them. Such a computer glove utilizes a unique type Velcro or fastening-tape and glove combination never before associated with a tablet computer. Furthermore, this device allows users to read from a tablet computer at night while ensuring the tablet will not be damaged by falling on the floor when then user falls asleep.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/438,939 entitled E-BOOK MITT, filed on Feb. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference as to its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. Patents

	Pat. No.	Kind Code	Issue Date	Patentee
	7,124,447	B2	Oct. 24, 2006	Arganese

U.S. Patent Application Publications

Publication Number	Kind Code	Publ. Date	Applicant
2006/0218696	A1	Oct. 5, 2006	Billups
2009/0000010	A1	Jan. 1, 2009	Sunder et. al.

Foreign Patent Document

None found

Nonpatent Literature Documents

None found

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

An Amazon Kindle is a portable electronic device known in the art for allowing the storage of printed materials such as books, newspapers, and magazines in a single location. This and similar devices such as the Apple iPad are commonly known as e-readers or tablet computers and are appreciated by consumers because they substantially reduce the need to carry around heavy books.

The fact that these devices are lightweight makes them ideal for reading in bed at night. For some, reading from these devices at night is a helpful way of falling asleep. However, using any of these electronic devices prior to going to bed poses several significant challenges.

By way of example, the decision to read from a Kindle in bed and possibly fall asleep while doing so may cause the user to accidently damage the device. Those who choose to use tablet computers in this manner risk dropping the delicate devices from their hands as they doze off. Once it has fallen out of their hands, the device may land on the user's chests, face, other body parts, or on the floor. This can result in discomfort and agitation for the user and may permanently damage the device.

Another challenge faced by these individuals involves holding the e-reader while lying on their side. In particular, elderly users may experience joint pain associated with arthritis. As a result, many users are unable to clasp the device with their hands for very long without experiencing discomfort or agitation. A preliminary investigation has revealed that many suffer from an inability to hold onto the e-reader for very long while in bed. This is an issue common to many arthritis sufferers' young and old. The disease causes so much pain in the user's hands; it becomes impossible for them to clasp the tablet computer for very long. For some, it becomes impossible to hold the device at all.

Yet another challenge is faced by e-readers that lack an exterior source of illumination. The Amazon Kindle and similar devices cannot be read in the dark unless an exterior light source is used. The light source allows the device to be read by illuminating the screen so that the text can be seen. Without such a light source, the screen may be illegible at night.

An improved tablet computer glove is a desirable tool for allowing those with arthritis overcome the challenges they face holding Kindles, iPads, and other similar electronic devices. No such glove is heretofore known.

Therefore, there is a need for a tablet computer glove which allows those with arthritis in their hands to use tablet computer without the discomfort their affliction causes them. Such a computer glove would utilize a unique type of Velcro and glove combination never before associated with a tablet computer. Furthermore, there is a need for a method of reading from a tablet computer at night while ensuring the tablet will not be damaged by falling on the floor when the user falls asleep. The present invention effectuates these needs.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a glove or mitt that allows a tablet computer device to be removably attached to the palm of the glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of an enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

One method for removably attaching a tablet computer to a glove or mitt would be to use Velcro. Velcro typically comes with two strips that can be mated together to form a breakable bond. This bond is a useful way to removably attach two objects, in this case a glove and a tablet computer, to one another.

One side of the two strips is typically comprised of small hooks while the other is comprised of a porous or hair like material typically shaped as a loop. When the two sides are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. The back side of each strip (i.e. the side which does not contain either a series of hooks or loops) is typically comprised of an adhesive.

In one embodiment, the adhesive may be used to connect the hook piece of Velcro to the tablet computer. In this embodiment, the hooks would then catch in the loops made by fibers on the palm side of the glove.

In another embodiment, the hook piece of Velcro would still be attached to the tablet computer, however, it is envisioned that in this embodiment, the loop piece would be attached to the glove. This may be accomplished by stitching it directly to the glove in one embodiment or using the adhesive on the Velcro strip in another.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the hook-side of the Velcro could be attached to the back of a protective sleeve encasing the tablet computer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the protective sleeve may contain a light source which may be used to illuminate the screen of tablet computer.

It is envisioned that the glove may be comprised of a soft, porous fabric-to allow firm attachment with the Velcro on the tablet computer. In other words, the glove fabric may be sufficiently soft and porous to allow Velcro on the tablet computer to mate directly with the glove instead of using a separate piece of Velcro stitched into the glove. A detailing mitt commonly used on automobiles has proven to demonstrate these characteristics. However, it is envisioned that other gloves with similar characteristics to the detailing mitt shown in the attached figures will yield similar results.

It is further envisioned that Velcro may not be the only type of fastening tape capable of achieving removable attachment of the tablet computer and the glove. One example is known in the art as a “slidingly engaging fastener”. Instead of loops and hooks, it has interlocking islands with undercut edges that slide together. Similarly, a Unity Wrap and “Dual Lock” by 3M are modifications of Velcro which may be used to connect the tablet computer to the glove.

It is further envisioned that in yet another embodiment of the tablet computer glove, the bottom of said glove may comprise two openings through which a neck strap means may pass. One neck strap loop may be located on the right side of the glove while another loop may be located on the other side. A neck strap means with adjustable size may be passed through the two loops and closed on one side. In this embodiment the user may wear the tablet computer glove around their neck while they carry the device around.

Furthermore, it is envisioned that the bottom of said glove may comprise a sealing means. By way of example, the bottom may have a zipper or additional Velcro strap that would allow the user to close the bottom of the glove when the tablet computer is being carried inside. In another embodiment, a button may be used as a different means to close the bottom of the glove while the computer device is being carried inside.

ADVANTAGES

Thus several advantages of one or more aspects are to provide a better way to hold an e-book (one that is comfortable to the hand and safe) that would also protect the device from falling out of users hands should they fall asleep. Such a tablet computer glove would alleviate the discomfort felt by users who suffer from arthritis in their hands each time they try to hold a tablet computer.

Moreover, it is envisioned that an illumination source may be coupled to a protective case to illuminate the e-reader and allow it to be removably attached to a comfortable glove worn by the user.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, the glove may be coupled to a Kindle in one embodiment and to an iPad in another. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the claims that are appended and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

The description of the invention, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet computer glove without the tablet computer attached;

FIG. 2 is a palm side view of a tablet computer glove illustrating where the fastening tape may be attached, the dimensions, and different shapes envisioned for said fastening tape;

FIG. 3 is a back side view of a tablet computer device illustrating where the fastening tape may be attached;

FIG. 4 is a back side view of a tablet computer glove package; and

FIG. 5. is palm side view of a tablet computer glove and packaging.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the Velcro patches are illustrated in particular shapes. However, the inventor contemplates the possibility that the Velcro may have a variety of different shapes including but not limited to heart shapes and hourglass shapes. Accordingly, is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the tablet computer glove with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the tablet computer glove to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed tablet computer glove. The above detailed description of embodiments of the tablet computer glove is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the tablet computer glove are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the tablet computer glove are presented below in particular claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the tablet computer glove in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the tablet computer glove.

Claims

1. A tablet computer glove combination device with fastening-tape mounting comprising:

a glove comprising a back side and a palm side comprising at least one surface covering at least one outer layer of glove fabric having an outer surface exposed to view;

a tablet computer comprising a back side and a front side for reading electronic books or viewing media downloaded thereon, the back of said computer comprising at least one fastening-tape patch;

said fastening-tape patch comprising a front side and a back side; the back side of said patch comprising a fastening means cable of removably attaching to said tablet computer back side;

said fastening-tape patch front side comprising fastening means cable of attaching to said palm side of said glove;

said fastening tape patch front side removably attached to said palm side of said glove of at least one outer layer of said glove fabric with said tablet computer back side removably attached said back side of said computer for an instantly attachable and removable tablet glove combination for reading electronic books or viewing media downloaded onto said computer without need to clasp said tablet computer.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the fastening-tape is Velcro.

3. A tablet computer glove combination device with fastening-tape mounting comprising:

a glove comprising a back side and a palm side;

a tablet computer comprising a back side and a front side for reading electronic books or viewing media downloaded thereon;

a first piece of fastening-tape comprising a loop side and a back side;

a second piece of fastening tape comprising a hook side and a back side;

said back side of said first piece of fastening tape to be attached to said palm side of said glove;

said back side of said second piece of fastening tape to be attached to said back side of said tablet computer; and

said loop side of said first piece of fastening tape to be removably attached to said hook side of said second piece of fastening tape.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the fastening-tape is Velcro.

5. A method of holding a tablet computer without having to clasp said computer with your fingers, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a glove with fastening-tape on the palm;

(b) providing a tablet computer with fastening-tape on the back side; and

(c) removably attaching said fastening-tape on said tablet computer back side to said fastening-tape on said glove palm.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the fastening-tape is Velcro.