RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/157136, filed May 5, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND Mobile electronic devices are increasingly popular. Non-limiting examples of mobile electronic devices include MP3-style players, cellular phones, laptop and tablet-style computers.
Mobile electronic devices are often enclosed within a housing having a substantially rectangular shape, with a relatively flat, thin profile. In certain instances, it can be difficult to hold the mobile electronic device single handedly due to the shape and/or size of the housing. In these instances, there is a risk of damage to the mobile electronic device from being dropped.
It would be advantageous if mobile electronic devices were easier to hold and operate.
SUMMARY The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumerated are achieved by a stability structure configured for a mobile electronic device. The stability structure includes a plurality of aglets. The aglets have a lower surface. An elastic member is connected to and extends between the plurality of aglets. The elastic member has lower surface and is configured for placement against a back surface of a mobile electronic device or a back surface of its protective case. A plurality of adhesive members is attached to the lower surfaces of the aglets. The adhesive members are configured to attach the aglets to the back surface of the mobile electronic device or the back surface of its protective case. With the stability structure in an installed position, the lower surface of the elastic member and the back surface of the mobile electronic device or the back surface of its protective case are configured to form a gap to receive a user's fingers. The elastic member is further configured to urge the fingers inserted into the gap against the back surface of the mobile electronic device or the back surface of its protective case thereby allowing the user to securely hold the mobile electronic device with one hand.
Various objects and advantages of the stability structure for mobile electronic devices will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a stability structure for a mobile device.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elastic member of the stability structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the elastic member of the stability structure of FIG. 1 illustrating surface structures and a covering material.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pre-crimped aglet of the stability structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side view, in elevation, of the aglets and elastic member of FIG. 1 shown in a pre-assembled arrangement.
FIG. 6 is a side view, in elevation, of the stability structure of FIG. 1 shown in a pre-assembled arrangement with a mobile electronic device.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the stability structure of FIG. 1 shown in an assembled arrangement with a mobile electronic device.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled stability structure and mobile electronic device of FIG. 7 shown with fingers inserted into a gap formed between the stability structure and the mobile electronic device.
FIG. 9 is a front view, in elevation of a second embodiment of a stability structure for a mobile electronic device.
FIG. 10 is a side view, in elevation, of the stability structure of FIG. 9 shown in a pre-assembled arrangement with a mobile electronic device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The stability structure for mobile electronic devices (hereafter “stability structure”) will now be described with occasional reference to the specific embodiments. The stability structure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the stability structure to those skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the stability structure belongs. The terminology used in the description of the stability structure herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the stability structure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the stability structure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.
The description and figures disclose a stability structure for mobile electronic devices. Generally, the stability structure is attached to a portion of the back surface of the mobile electronic device and coordinates with the back surface of the mobile electronic device to form a gap. In operation, a user simply inserts one or more fingers in the gap between the back surface of the mobile electronic device and the stability structure. An elastic feature of the stability structure urges the inserted fingers against the back surface of the mobile electronic device and allows the user to securely hold the mobile electronic device with one hand. Rather than requiring two hands to hold the mobile electronic device, the user advantageously can hold the mobile electronic device with one hand and operate the mobile electronic device with the other hand. As will be discussed in more detail below, the stability structure is formed from an elastic material that is attached to the back surface of the mobile electronic device.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the stability structure is illustrated generally at 10. The stability structure 10 is configured to span and attach to a portion of a back surface of a mobile electronic device. The stability structure 10 includes an elastic member 12 extended between and connected to opposing first and second aglets 14, 16 at opposing distal ends of the elastic member 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic member is illustrated generally at 12. As will be explained in more detail below, the elastic member 12 is configured for a contracted first orientation and a stretched second orientation. The elastic member 12 includes a first distal end 20, a second distal end 22, an upper surface 24 and a lower surface 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic member 12 has a generally rectangular shape and the upper and lower surfaces 24, 26 have a substantially parallel orientation. Alternatively, the elastic member 12 can have other shapes and the upper and lower surfaces 24, 26 can have a non-parallel orientation.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the elastic member 12 has a width WF, a contracted length LFC, a stretched length LFS (as shown in FIG. 8) and a thickness TF. In the illustrated embodiment, the width WF of the flexible member 12 generally corresponds to a width WA of one of the aglets 14, 16, as shown in FIG. 4. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the width. WF of the elastic member 12 need not correspond to the width WA of one of the aglets 14, 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the width WF of the elastic member 12 is in a range of from about 1.5 inches to about 5.0 inches. In other embodiments, the width WF of the elastic member can be less than about 1.5 inches or more than about 5.0 inches.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the contracted length LFC of the elastic member 12 generally corresponds to a length of the mobile electronic device. As one non-limiting example, a mobile electronic device having a length of about 5.5 inches uses an elastic member 12 having a contracted length LCF of about 4.25 inches. However, it should be appreciated that the contracted length LFC of the elastic member 12 need only be less than the length of the mobile electronic device. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the contracted length LFC of the elastic member 12 is in a range of from about 3.0 inches to about 10.0 inches. In other embodiments, the contracted length LFC of the elastic member 12 can be less than about 3.0 inches or more than about 10.0 inches.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the stretched length LFS of the elastic member 12 is configured to form a gap 62 to accommodate one or more fingers between the back surface of the mobile electronic device and the stability structure 10, In the illustrated embodiment, the stretched length LFS of the elastic member 12 is longer than the contracted length LFC of the elastic member 12 by an amount in a range of from about 10.0% to about 50.0%. Accordingly, an elastic member 12 having a contracted length of about 4.0 inches has a stretched length LFS in a range of from about 4.4 inches to about 6.0 inches. Alternatively, the stretched length LFS can be longer than the contracted length LFC of the elastic member 12 by an amount less than 10.0% or more than 50.0%, sufficient to form a gap 62 to accommodate one or more fingers between the back surface of the mobile electronic device and the stability structure 10.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the thickness TF of the elastic member 12 is configured for several functions. First, the thickness TF is configured to provide the elastic member 12 with sufficient tensile strength to ensure the structural integrity of the elastic member 12 during use. Second, the thickness TF of the elastic member 12 is configured to provide a desired elasticity from the contracted length LFC to the stretched length LFS, as discussed above. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thickness TF of the elastic member 12 is in a range of from about 0.05 inches to about 0.10 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness TF of the elastic member 12 can be less than about 0.05 inches or more than about 0.10 inches.
Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, optionally the upper surface 24 of the elastic member 12 can include a plurality of surface structures 30. The term “surface structure”, as used herein, is defined to mean any structure or treatment located on or extending from a surface. The surface structures 30 are configured to minimize slippage of a mobile electronic device equipped with the stability structure 10 as the mobile electronic device sits on a surface.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the surface structures 30 are configured to extend from the upper surface 24 of the elastic member 12 a height H I such that the surface structures 30 can engage and grip other surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the height HI is in a range of from about 0.02 inches to about 0.20 inches. In other embodiments, the height H1 can be less than about 0.02 inches or more than about 0.20 inches sufficient that the surface structures 30 can engage and grip other surfaces.
Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the surface structures 30 have the form of a plurality of nibs. The term “nib”, as used herein, is defined to mean any structure having a protruding extremity. However, in other embodiments, the surface structures 30 can have other forms, such as for example serrations, teeth and the like.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the surface structures 30 are arranged in rows and columns. However, the surface structures 30 can be arranged in any desired pattern sufficient that the surface structures 30 can engage and grip other surfaces.
Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface structures 30 extend continuously across the upper surface 24 of the elastic member 12 from the first distal end 20 to the second distal end 22. In other embodiments, the surface structures 30 can be any desired pattern of discontinuous segments and the surface structures 30 can extend any desired distance on the upper surface 24 of the elastic member 12.
Referring again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the elastic member 12 is formed from an elastic, polymeric-based material, such as the non-limiting example of neoprene. Alternatively, the elastic member 12 can be formed from other elastic, polymeric-based materials, sufficient to have a contracted, substantially flat orientation and an extended, stretched orientation.
While the elastic member 12 has been illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 as having surface structures 30, it should be appreciated that the surface structures 30 are optional and not required for successful operation of the stability structure 10.
Referring now to FIG. 3, optionally the lower surface 26 of the elastic member 12 can include a covering material 32. The covering material 32 is configured is to provide an elastic, slip resistant surface for contact with a portion of a user's hand. In the illustrated embodiment, the covering material 32 is formed from an elastic polymeric material, such as the non-limiting example of Lycra®, marketed by the Invista Corporation, headquartered in Wichita, Kans. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the covering material 32 can be formed from other elastic polymeric materials sufficient to provide an elastic, slip resistant surface for contact with a portion of a user's hand.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a representative aglet 14 is illustrated. The aglet 14 is configured for several purposes. First, the aglet 14 is configured to attach to an end of the elastic member 12 such that the aglet 14 and the elastic member 12 are securely fastened together. Second, the aglet 14 is configured to attach to a portion of a back surface of a mobile electronic device in a manner that will be discussed in more detail below.
Referring again to FIG. 4, the aglet 14 includes a first segment 40 connected to a second segment 42 along a longitudinal edge. For purposes of clarity, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 shows the relative position of the first and second segments 40, 42 prior to crimping of the elastic member 12 between the first and second segments 40, 42. The first and second segments 40, 42 form a pre-crimped angle α therebetween. The pre-crimped angle α is configured to receive a distal end 20, 22 of the elastic member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-crimped angle α is in a range of from about 50° to about 75°. Alternatively, the pre-crimped angle α can be less than about 50° or more than about 75°, sufficient that the pre-crimped first and second segments 40, 42 can receive a distal end 20, 22 of the elastic member 12.
Referring again to FIG. 4, the second segment 42 has a substantially flat lower surface 43. As will be explained below in more detail, the lower surface 43 of the second segment 42 is configured to receive an adhesive strip and is further configured to seat against a flat segment of a portion of the back surface of the mobile electronic device. However, it is within the contemplation of the stability structure that the aglet 14 can be configured with a curved or arcuate cross-sectional shape, sufficient to seat against a curved or arcuate segment of a portion of the back surface of the mobile electronic device. The embodiment of an aglet 14 having a curved or arcuate cross-sectional shape will be discussed in more detail below.
Referring again to FIG. 4, the first segment 40 has a width WFS and the second segment 42 has a width WSS. In the illustrated embodiment, the width WFS of the first segment 40 is shorter than the width WSS of the second segment 42 such that in a crimped and stretched arrangement as shown in FIG. 8, the elastic member 12 initiates an arcuate cross-sectional shape at locations closer to the ends of the mobile electronic device, thereby allowing any desired quantity of the user's fingers within the gap 62. Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the width WFS of the first segment 40 is in a range of from about 0.15 inches to about 0.35 inches and the width WSS of the second segment 42 is in a range of from about 0.40 inches to about 0.60 inches. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the WFS of the first segment 40 can be less than about 0.15 inches or more than about 0.35 inches and the width WSS of the second segment 42 can be less than about 0.40 inches or more than about 0.60 inches.
Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the aglet 14 is formed from a thin, metallic, ductile material, such as for example thin gauge steel. In other embodiments, the aglet 14 can be formed from other materials sufficient to retain the elastic member 12 in a crimped arrangement while assuring the elastic material 12 cannot be pulled out during use.
While the aglet 14 is described above as being formed from a thin, metallic, ductile material such as to allow crimping of the elastic member 12, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the elastic member 12 can be attached to the aglet 14 in other manners, such as the non-limiting examples of vulcanizing, ultra-sonic welding and adhesives. In these embodiments, the aglet 14 can be formed from non-metallic materials, such as for example, polymeric materials.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the stability structure 10 is initially formed as the distal ends 20, 22 of the elastic member 12 are inserted into the pre-crimped angles α1, α2, formed by the first and second segments 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b of the aglets 14, 16. Next, the first segment 40a is crimped to the second segment 42a, thereby securing the first distal end 20 of the elastic member 12 to the aglet 14. Similarly, the first segment 40b is crimped to the second segment 42b, thereby securing the second distal end 22 of the elastic member 12 to the aglet 16.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the crimped aglets 14, 16 have a thin cross-sectional profile 1-12. The thin cross-sectional profile H2 is configured to allow the thickness TF of the elastic member 12 to extend beyond the aglets 14, 16 as the elastic member 12 is in a contracted, substantially flat orientation. The term “cross-sectional profile”, as used herein, is defined to mean the thickness 1-12 of the crimped aglet 14, 16 from a bottom surface to a top surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional profile 112 is in a range of from about 0.02 inches to about 0.06 inches. However, in other embodiments, the cross-sectional profile H2 can be less than about 0.02 inches or more than about 0.06 inches. Attachment of the aglets 14, 16 to the elastic member 12 forms sub-assembly 50.
Referring again to FIG. 6, the sub-assembly 50 is attached to a portion of a back surface 52 of a mobile electronic device 18 through use of a plurality of adhesive members 54a, 54b positioned to contact the aglets 14, 16 and the back surface 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive members 54a, 54b are made of a polymeric film material having a thickness in a range of about 30 gauge to about 96 gauge. In other embodiments, the adhesive members 54a, 54b can be made of other desired materials or combinations of materials and can have thicknesses less than about 30 gauge or more than about 96 gauge.
Referring again to FIG. 6, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the sub-assembly 50 can be attached to the back surface 52 by other mechanisms or structures. While the sub-assembly 50 is shown in FIG. 6 as being attached to the back surface 52 of a mobile electronic device 18, it is within the contemplation of the invention that the sub-assembly 50 can be attached to a back surface of a housing or case enclosing a mobile electronic device.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the stability structure 10 is shown attached to the back surface 52 of the mobile electronic device 18. The elastic member 12 has the contracted, substantially flat orientation and extends from one aglet 14 to the other aglet 16. In the contracted first position, the elastic member 12 has a substantially flat orientation. The term “flat orientation”, as used herein, is defined to mean the elastic member 12 forms a longitudinal plane that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal plane of the mobile electronic device 18.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the stability structure 10 is shown in the extended, stretched orientation with a plurality of the user's fingers 60 positioned in a gap 62 formed between the back surface 52 of the mobile electronic device 18 and the elastic member 12. In the extended stretched orientation, the elastic member 12 forms a generally arcuate shape that the inserted fingers 60 against the back surface 52 of the mobile electronic device 18 and allows the user to securely hold the mobile electronic device 18 with one hand. When the user removes the fingers 60 from the gap 62, the elastic member 12 is configured to return to the contracted, substantially flat orientation shown in FIG. 7.
While the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 illustrates a quantity of four fingers 60 inserted into the gap 62, any desired number of fingers 60 can be used sufficient to securely hold the mobile electronic device 18 with one hand. In certain instances, the size of the user's hand, coupled with the length of the stability structure, can cooperate to allow the entire hand of the user to slip through the stability structure 10 such that the stability structure 10 urges the user's wrist against the back surface of the mobile electronic device 10.
The stability structure 10 provides significant benefits, however, all benefits may not be present in all embodiments. First, the stability structure 10 provides an easily applied gripping means that can applied to many mobile electronic devices. Second, the stability structure 10 allows a user to single handedly engage a mobile electronic device 18 with an assured grip thereby providing a snug feel. Third, the stability structure 10 can act as a shock absorber if the mobile electronic device 18 is dropped on the back surface. Four, the stability structure 10 provides an aesthetically pleasing means of providing a secure gripping means. Fifth, the stability structure 10 can be made to any size and fit any mobile electronic device 18. Sixth, the stability structure 10 can be oriented on the mobile electronic device 18 such as to provide any desired engagement. Seventh, the stability structure 10 can arranged on the mobile electronic device 18 such as to provide a gap 62 having any desired level of snugness with portions of the user's hand.
While the stability structure 10 has been illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 and described above as being attached to a portion of the back surface of the mobile electronic device, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the stability structure 10 can be attached to a portion of a protective case within which the mobile electronic device resides.
Referring now to FIG. 9a, another embodiment of a sub-assembly is illustrated generally at 150. The sub-assembly 150 includes a first elastic member 112 extending between aglets 114, 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic member 112 and aglets 114, 116 are the same as, or similar to, the elastic member 12 and aglets 14, 16 shown in FIG. 6 and discussed above. In other embodiments, the first elastic member 112 and aglets 114, 116 can be different from the elastic member 12 and aglets 14, 16.
Referring again to FIG. 9a, a second elastic member 170 extends from the aglet 114 to the aglet 116. The ends of the second elastic member 170 are secured in the aglets 114, 116 in the same manner as the first elastic member 112.
Referring now to FIG. 9b, the second elastic member 170 includes a plurality of layers 172, 174 and 176 arranged in a folded orientation. The intermediate layer 174 forms a first fold 180 with the bottom layer 174 and the bottom layer forms a second fold 182 with the top layer 176. The resulting folded structure forms a “closed” pouch 186 between the bottom layer 172 and the intermediate layer 174. The closed pouch 186 is configured for retaining small items such as credit cards, driver licenses, folded paper money and the like. In certain embodiments, the closed pouch 186 can be secured in closed arrangement with any desired mechanisms or structures, such as the non-limiting examples of hook and loop fasteners or a zipper.
Referring now to FIG. 10, the sub-assembly 150, having the elastic member 112, aglets 114, 116, and the second elastic member 170 are attached to the back surface 152 of the mobile electronic device 118 using adhesive members 154a, 154b in the same manner as described above. When attached to the back surface 152 of the mobile electronic device 118, the sub-assembly 150 is configured to have the same flat orientation relative to the back surface 152 of the mobile electronic device 118 as discussed above for the sub-assembly 50.
Referring again to FIG. 10, the flat orientation of the stability structure 110 against the back surface 152 of the mobile electronic device 118 advantageously allows small items inserted into the closed pouch 186 to be generally hidden from view.
Referring again to FIG. 10, it is within the contemplation of the stability structure 150 that other structures can be crimped by the aglets 114, 116 and positioned under the elastic member 112. As one non-limiting example, one or more elastic strings can be used to store a tethered, hidden key within the in closed pouch 186.
Referring again to FIG. 4 and as discussed above, the aglet 14 can be configured with a curved or arcuate cross-sectional shape, sufficient to seat against a curved or arcuate segment of a portion of the back surface of the mobile electronic device. Referring now to FIG. 11, one non-limiting example of an alternate aglet 214 can be formed from a plurality of sub-aglets 215. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the sub-aglets 215 has the same, or similar, structure as the aglet 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed above, with the exception that the sub-aglets 215 have a shorter width WSA. In the illustrated embodiment, the width WSA of the sub-aglets 215 is in a range of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. However, in other embodiments, the width WSA of the sub-aglets 215 can be less than about 0.25 inches or more than about 0.75 inches, sufficient that a plurality of sub-aglets 215 can form a curved or arcuate cross-sectional shape.
Referring now to FIG. 12, an elastic member 212 is shown with aglets 214, formed from a plurality of sub-aglets 215, connected to the distal ends 220, 222. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic member 212 is connected to the sub-aglets 215 by the same crimping manner as discussed above. However, it should be appreciated that other connection methods can be used.
Referring now to FIG. 13, the aglet 214 is shown in a curved orientation. The individual sub-aglets 215 form segments of an arc, and cooperate to allow the aglet 214 to form a curved or arcuate shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the aglet 214 forms a radius R in a range of from about 0.50 inches to about 2.0 inches. In other embodiments, the aglet 214 can form a radius R of less than about 0.50 inches or more than about 2.0 inches, sufficient to seat against a curved or arcuate segment of a portion of the back surface of the mobile electronic device.
While the embodiment of the aglet 214 illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 show a quantity of six sub-aglets 215 forming the aglet 214. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, more or less than six sub-aglets 215 can be used.
The principle and mode of operation of the stability structure for mobile electronic devices have been described in certain embodiments. However, it should be noted that the stability structure for mobile electronic devices may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.
