APPARATUSES FOR IMPROVING GRIP ON HANDHELD DEVICES

Abstract

Handholds and protective cases that are equipped therewith and configured to be coupled to a handheld electronic device. Such a handhold includes an elongated body that is sized and configured to protrude from a back side surface of a protective case. Once secured to a handheld electronic device, the elongated body provides one or more finger holds along at least a first longitudinal side exterior surface of the elongated body that promote an individual's grip on the handheld electronic device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/486,690, filed Apr. 18, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to handheld devices. The invention particularly relates to apparatuses for use by individuals while they are using handheld devices to enhance the ability to operate the handheld devices with one hand and to reduce the likelihood of accidentally dropping a handheld device.

The last decade has seen a rapid increase in personal use of handheld electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, electronic readers, and the like, particularly devices with interactive touch screens. Such devices are commonly structured to include a relatively thin planar body having a front side with a flat touch screen for interaction with the device, and a back side oppositely disposed from the front side. The back sides of many of these devices are relatively flat, smooth, and often slippery to the human touch. In general, the backside surface often does not provide any means for the user to grip the device with his/her fingers, especially with respect to larger devices such as the tablet computers. Sides between the front and back sides tend to be relatively smooth without any grip or handhold features. Even if push buttons are located on the device sides, the buttons tend to be relatively flush with the surround sides. As such, these devices are prone to being dropped and damaged, especially if they are being held by a single hand. This occurs so often that many individuals purchase protective cases for their handheld devices which encase at least portions of the devices and provide added protection against impacts.

In view of the above, it can be appreciated that there is an ongoing desire for improved apparatuses for that reduce the likelihood of an individual dropping a handheld device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatuses that include a handhold and optionally also a protective case that includes such a handhold. The handholds are suitable for enhancing the operation of a handheld electronic device by an individual using one hand and for reducing the likelihood of the individual accidentally dropping the handheld electronic device while held in the individual's hand. Preferably, such apparatuses allow for the individual's other hand to remain free to do other tasks.

According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes an elongated body configured to be secured to a handheld electronic device and protrude from a back side thereof. Once secured to the handheld device, the elongated body provides one or more finger holds along at least a first longitudinal side exterior surface of the elongated body that promote an individual's grip on the handheld device.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a protective case configured to be removably coupled with and at least partially enclose a handheld electronic device. The protective case includes interior surfaces configured to contact the handheld electronic device when the protective case is coupled thereto, and exterior surfaces including a back side surface configured to face away from the handheld electronic device when the protective case is coupled thereto. An elongated body protrudes from the back side surface and has an interior surface secured to or adjoining the back side surface, an outer exterior surface that is substantially parallel to the interior surface, and side exterior surfaces that are between the interior surface and the outer exterior surface. The side exterior surfaces define oppositely-disposed longitudinal side exterior surfaces that extend between first and second ends of the elongated body, and a plurality of concave recesses are defined in at least one of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces. The concave recesses define finger holds that promote a user's grip on the handheld electronic device from which the elongated body protrudes, and each adjacent pair of the finger holds is separated by a nub.

Technical effect of apparatuses as described above preferably include the ability for a user to hold a handheld electronic device with a single hand while gripping the elongated body with one or more fingers, thereby reducing the likelihood that the user will accidentally drop the handheld device.

Other aspects and advantages of this invention will be further appreciated from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C schematically represent backside views of three nonlimiting protective cases configured to encase mobile phones, each including a nonlimiting handhold in accordance with certain nonlimiting embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a nonlimiting protective case configured to encase a handheld electronic device, wherein the case includes a handhold in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isolated plan view of the handhold of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically represent isolated perspective top and end views, respectively, of a handhold in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 schematically represents an isolated perspective view of a handhold in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically represent isolated plan and side views, respectively, of a handhold in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure describes multiple embodiments of apparatuses (referred to as handholds below) that comprise an elongated body sized and configured to be secured to a handheld electronic device, protrude from a back side thereof, and provide gripping features on the device to reduce the likelihood of a user dropping the device. As used herein, the term “handheld electronic device” will be used in accordance with its ordinary meaning to refer to electronic devices that can be operated while held in the hand or hands of a user, and includes such devices as mobile phones, tablet computers, electronic readers, etc., and particularly devices with interactive touch screens. In general, handholds disclosed below include one or more finger holds that are secured to the device and are formed by protrusions extending outward from the back side of the device, or another structure secured to the device, such as a protective case. Each finger hold provides a location against which one or more of the user's fingertips can be braced such that the user is able to better grip and hold the device with a single hand. The handholds described herein may be applicable to any handheld electronic device, nonlimiting examples including mobile phones (e.g., cellular phones, smart phones, etc.), tablet computers, and electronic readers. The handholds are intended to provide a user with an improved grip such that handheld devices may be held and/or used with a single hand while the user's other hand remains free for other tasks.

Although the invention will be described hereinafter in reference to rectangular-shaped smart phone cases shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the invention are more generally applicable to a variety of types of electronic devices and protective cases therefor having various sizes and shapes. To facilitate the description provided below of the embodiments represented in the drawings, relative terms, including but not limited to, “vertical,” “horizontal,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” etc., may be used in reference to the perspective of an operator during the operation a smart phone either alone or with a protective case thereon. All such relative terms are intended to indicate the construction and relative orientations of components and features of the handholds, and therefore are relative terms that are useful to describe the illustrated embodiments but should not be otherwise interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

For convenience, the electronic device (e.g., smart phone) will be referred to as having a front side corresponding to a side having a touch screen, a back side corresponding to a side oppositely disposed the front, and sides therebetween in which two of the sides are referred to as upper and lower ends designated by the function of the device during its operation (e.g., such that images on the screen are oriented upright relative to the upper and lower ends of the device when the device is held with its elongated axis vertical relative to ground). Protective cases of the types represented in the drawings are configured to snap onto sides of a rectangular, planar electronic device such that the sides and back side are covered or at least partially enclosed and protected with a rigid and/or impact resistant material, thereby leaving the screen on the front side of the device exposed for use. As such, the protective cases represented in the drawings will be referred to as having interior surfaces intended to contact the sides and back side of the device and exterior surfaces that face away from the sides and back side of the device when the interior surfaces of the case are in contact therewith. The exterior surface of the case facing away from the back side of the device will be referred to as the back side of the case. Upper and lower ends of the case will correspond to the upper and lower ends of the device when the case is coupled thereto.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C schematically represent backside views of various nonlimiting protective cases 10, 110, and 210 configured to encase smart phones. Each of the cases 10, 110, and 210 includes a handhold 12, 112, and 212 secured thereto intended to provide one or more finger holds 14, 114, and 214. The handholds 12, 112, and 212 include elongated bodies that protrude from the back side of the cases 10, 110, and 210. The handholds 12, 112, and 212 are shown as having substantially linear shapes. The handhold 12 of FIG. 1A has a uniform linear shape with rounded ends and parallel longitudinal side exterior surfaces therebetween that define a single pair of essentially smooth parallel finger holds 14, the handhold 112 of FIG. 1B has an irregular linear shape with ends and irregular longitudinal side exterior surfaces therebetween that define multiple irregularly shaped and irregularly positioned finger holds 114, and the handhold 212 of FIG. 1C has a linear shape with longitudinal side exterior surfaces that each has a series of regularly shaped and regularly positioned recesses that define substantially regular or cyclical patterns in their respective longitudinal side exterior surfaces. The handhold 112 in FIG. 1B is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of its respective case 110, whereas the handholds 12 and 212 of FIGS. 1A and 1C are offset from the longitudinal axis of their respective cases 10 and 210. In each embodiment, the handholds 12, 112, and 212 are positioned closer to one longitudinal end or corner than the oppositely-disposed end or corner of the cases 10, 110, and 210, which as discussed below is believed to provide improved grip and comfort when the user is holding the device with a single hand and simultaneously interacting with a touch screen of the device with the thumb on the same hand.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the back side of a protective case equipped with a handhold, and FIG. 3 is an isolated plan view of the handhold of FIG. 2. The handhold shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is more similar to the handhold 212 of FIG. 1C than to the handholds 12 and 112 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. As such, the case shown in FIG. 2 and the handhold and features thereof shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified with the same reference numbers as those used in FIG. 1C. The nonlimiting protective case 210 is configured to encase a handheld electronic device (not shown), in this instance an Apple iPhone®. The handhold 212 comprises a fixed elongated body secured to and protruding from the back side of the case 210. The elongated body of the handhold 212 defines an interior surface (not shown) facing and contacting or adjoining the case 210, an outer exterior surface that is substantially parallel to the interior surface and, therefore, the back side of the case 210, and side exterior surfaces that are between and substantially perpendicular the interior and outer exterior surfaces and, therefore, also substantially perpendicular to the back side of the case 210. The side exterior surfaces of the handhold 212 define oppositely-disposed first and second ends 216 and 218 of the elongated body and two oppositely-disposed longitudinal side exterior surfaces of the handhold 212 extending between the first and second ends 216 and 218. Each of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces of the handhold 212 defines a plurality of concave depressions or recesses (hereinafter referred to as recesses) that define finger holds 214, with each adjacent pair of finger holds 214 being separated by a lobe or nub. The side exterior surface at the first end 216 of the handhold 212 also comprises finger holds 214 defined by a pair of concave recesses, whereas the second end 218 represented in FIGS. 2 and 3 does not comprise any concave recesses. Although not required, in this instance the handhold 212 is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis L_h thereof, and therefore the longitudinal side exterior surfaces of the handhold 212 are identical.

Similar to FIGS. 1A and 1C, FIG. 2 shows the handhold 212 is aligned such that its longitudinal axis L_h is not parallel to (at an angle relative to) the longitudinal axis L_c of the case 210. In this instance, the longitudinal axis L_h lies on a diagonal between opposite corners of the case 210. The handhold 212 is positioned on the diagonal to be closer to one of the corners of the case 210 than the other corners, in this case closer to one of the corners at the lower end of the case 210 than the upper end of the case 210. The illustrated orientation and position of the handhold 212 were determined to provide improved grip and comfort when a user is holding the case 210 (and a device encased therein) with a single hand while simultaneously interacting with a touch screen of the device with the thumb on the same hand. It will be understood that this orientation is not necessarily limiting and that the orientation and position of the handhold 212 may differ from that shown in FIG. 2.

As previously discussed, the handhold 212 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes the finger holds 214 on both of its longitudinal side exterior surfaces in order to provide an improved grip regardless of which hand the user is holding the case 210. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the handhold 212 could have finger holds 214 only on one of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces of the handhold 212. Likewise, the handhold 212 could have finger holds 214 on either, both, or neither of its ends 216 and 218.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show isolated perspective views of another nonlimiting version of a handhold 312. Similar to the embodiment represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handhold 312 is in the form of an elongated body that is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, has substantially identical longitudinal side exterior surfaces that are between and substantially perpendicular the interior and outer exterior surfaces, and periodic recesses are formed in the longitudinal side surfaces to define a plurality of concave finger holds 314, with each adjacent pair of finger holds 314 separated by a lobe or nub. In this embodiment, the ends 316 and 318 of the elongated body are triangular or spade-shaped and their outer exterior surfaces are contoured to slope toward the interior surface of the handhold 312 such that the elongated body is thinner at each of its ends 316 and 318 than in the portion of the elongated body in which the recesses and nubs that form the finger holds 314 are defined. The shapes and contours of the ends 316 and 318 are intended to reduce interference as a case to which the handhold 312 is attached is inserted or removed from a pocket or other confined space, while also enabling the handhold 312 to offer sufficient gripping surfaces for the finger holds 314.

Handholds disclosed herein may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, various hard and soft polymers or a hard foam material. The handholds can be integrally formed with their respective cases or can be separately formed components that are permanently or removably secured to a case or an electronic device. For example, the handholds can be fixed to the back side of a case with an suitable coupling means, as nonlimiting examples, an adhesive such as glue or adhesive tape.

Handholds of this invention may also have various colors and surface textures. For example, FIG. 6 shows an isolated view of a nonlimiting handhold 412 having a structure substantially identical to the handhold 312 of FIGS. 4 and 5, and therefore has an outer exterior surface, ends 416 and 418, and finger holds 414 formed by regular recesses in two longitudinal side exterior surfaces of the handhold 312. The handhold 412 also includes decorative materials 420 embedded in the outer exterior surface for aesthetic purposes. Furthermore, the handholds disclosed herein may include text, logos, or other labels thereon, for example, on their outer exterior surfaces.

FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically show isolated plan and side views of another nonlimiting version of a handhold 512. Similar to the embodiments represented in FIGS. 2 through 6, the handhold 512 is in the form of an elongated body that is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis L_h and whose longitudinal side exterior surfaces have periodic recesses to define a plurality of concave finger holds 514, with each adjacent pair of finger holds 514 being separated by a lobe or nub 515. FIG. 8 schematically depicts the handhold 512 as having means for coupling the handhold 512 to the back side of a protective case, the coupling means being represented as an adhesive tape 524 adhered to the interior surface 526 of the body. In this embodiment, each end 516 and 518 of the elongated body defines an edge that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L_h, and the outer exterior surfaces 520 and 522 adjacent the ends 516 and 518, respectively, are contoured to slope toward the interior surface of the handhold 512 such that the elongated body is thinner at each of its ends 516 and 518 than in the intermediate portion of the elongated body in which the recesses and nubs 515 that form the finger holds 514 are defined. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, such a configuration is intended to provide a balance between offering sufficient gripping surfaces for the finger holds 514 while reducing interference as a case to which the handhold 512 is attached is inserted or removed from a pocket or other confined space.

While the invention has been described in terms of specific or particular embodiments, it should be apparent that alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the protective case and/or the handholds could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, functions of certain components of the protective cases and/or handholds could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and various materials could be used in the fabrication of the protective cases and/or handholds. In addition, while FIGS. 1 and 2 represent protective cases than include only a single handhold, it is within the scope of the invention that a handheld device or protective case may include more than one handhold. As such, it should be understood that the above detailed description is intended to describe the particular embodiments represented in the drawings and certain but not necessarily all features and aspects thereof, and to identify certain but not necessarily all alternatives to the represented embodiments and described features and aspects. As a nonlimiting example, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects of a particular embodiment could be eliminated or two or more features or aspects of different embodiments could be combined. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings, and the phraseology and terminology employed above are for the purpose of describing the illustrated embodiments and do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed above are for the purpose of describing the disclosed embodiments, and do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an elongated body sized and configured to be secured to a handheld electronic device and protrude from a back side thereof, the elongated body having an interior surface, an outer exterior surface that is substantially parallel to the interior surface, and side exterior surfaces that are between the interior surface and the outer exterior surface, the side exterior surfaces defining oppositely-disposed longitudinal side exterior surfaces that extend between first and second ends of the elongated body; and

a plurality of concave recesses defined in at least one of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces, the concave recesses defining finger holds that promote a user's grip on the handheld electronic device from which the elongated body protrudes, each adjacent pair of the finger holds being separated by a nub.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for directly or indirectly coupling the interior surface to the handheld electronic device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side exterior surfaces are substantially perpendicular the interior surface and the outer exterior surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the concave recesses, the nubs, and the finger holds are defined in each of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one additional concave recess on at least the first end of the elongated body.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a concave recess is not defined in the second end of the elongated body.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the elongated body is triangular or spade-shaped.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the elongated body has a surface that slopes toward the interior surface of the elongated body such that the elongated body is thinner at at least the one of the first and second ends than in an intermediate portion of the elongated body in which the recesses and nubs are defined.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is secured and protrudes from a back side of a protective case configured to be coupled with and at least partially enclose the handheld electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective case has a rectangular shaped body, and a longitudinal axis of the elongated body lies on a diagonal between opposite corners of the protective case.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the elongated body is positioned closer to one end of the protective case than an oppositely-disposed end of the protective case.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective case is configured to couple with a mobile phone.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is a mobile phone.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is a tablet computer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is an electronic reader.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a protective case configured to be removably coupled with and at least partially enclose a handheld electronic device, the protective case comprising interior surfaces configured to contact the handheld electronic device when the protective case is coupled thereto and exterior surfaces configured to face away from the handheld electronic device when the protective case is coupled thereto, the exterior surfaces comprising a back side surface;

an elongated body protruding from the back side surface, the elongated body having an interior surface secured to or adjoining the back side surface, an outer exterior surface that is substantially parallel to the interior surface, and side exterior surfaces that are between the interior surface and the outer exterior surface, the side exterior surfaces defining oppositely-disposed longitudinal side exterior surfaces that extend between first and second ends of the elongated body; and

a plurality of concave recesses defined in at least one of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces, the concave recesses defining finger holds that promote a user's grip on the handheld electronic device from which the elongated body protrudes, each adjacent pair of the finger holds being separated by a nub.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the side exterior surfaces are substantially perpendicular the interior surface and the outer exterior surface, and the concave recesses, the nubs, and the finger holds are defined in each of the longitudinal side exterior surfaces.