PROTECTIVE HOLSTER FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Abstract

A holster for protecting a portable electronic device. The holster is a one-piece integral body made of a flexible material. The body has a housing and attachment structures extending from the housing for removably mounting the housing to a user of the holster. The housing has a top opening communicating with an interior cavity dimensioned and configured to receive and accommodate the portable electronic device via the top opening. An overhang portion extends from an entire perimeter of the top opening. An aperture formed in a part of the overhang portion is configured for alignment with an electronic element of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the housing of the holster.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/453,897, filed on Mar. 22, 2023.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the protection of electronic devices, and more particularly to protective holsters for portable electronic devices.

Background Information

Portable electronic devices are generally provided with removable protective cases, such as holsters, designed to accommodate, store and transport the devices. Such holsters are typically made of soft materials, such as leather, or hard plastic materials designed to protect the electronic devices from impact and from the elements in general during use. However, existing holsters have not been effective in conforming closely to the shape of the electronic device and, therefore, provide good shock resistance to the electronic device.

There are also many portable electronic devices which are integrated in some form of non-removable protective casing. One such type of portable electronic device is used as a tracking device for tracking cattle. The tracking device is in the form of a GPS ear tag device powered using solar panels. One problem with such GPS ear tag device for tracking cattle is that the integrated case does not sufficiently protect the device from shock resistance and related extreme conditions during use.

The foregoing GPS ear tag device uses industry standard applications and female prongs to mount the GPS ear tag device to the ear of the cattle. One problem with this arrangement is that the GPS ear tag device is subject to being disconnected from the ear of the cattle during movement of the cattle. This result in the GPS ear tag device not being able to perform the tracking function for which it is intended. Additionally, the form of connection of the GPS ear tag device to the ear of the cattle, which involves piercing the ear, often results in the ear of the cattle being infected, which causes health concerns.

Consequently, there is a need for a protective holster for portable electronic devices which overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional art.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a protective holster for a portable electronic device is provided. The protective holster has a shape corresponding to the shape of an electronic device to be protected. The protective holster is designed to accommodate the electronic device in a secure manner to provide shock resistance and protect the device from impact and from the elements in general during use. In another aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device in combination with the protective holster according to the present invention.

In a first aspect, a holster for protecting a portable electronic device is provided. In one embodiment, the holster comprises a one-piece integral body made of a flexible material. The body has a housing and attachment structures extending from the housing for removably mounting the housing to a user of the holster. The housing has a top opening communicating with an interior cavity dimensioned and configured to receive and accommodate the portable electronic device via the top opening. Overhang portion extends from an entire perimeter of the top opening. An aperture formed in a part of the overhang portion is configured for alignment with an electronic element of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the housing of the holster.

In one embodiment, the housing, including cavity, is rectangular shaped for accommodating an electronic device of similar profile. In one example of this embodiment, the attachment structures extend from respective long sides of the rectangular shaped housing. In another example, the attachment structures extend from respective short sides of the rectangular shaped housing.

According to a feature of the foregoing embodiment, each of the attachment structures has a slot configured to receive a strap, belt or similar structure for removably mounting the integral body to the user of the holster.

In another embodiment, the cavity has a base opposite to the top opening for supporting the electronic device received therein, the base forming an underside of the integral body.

In yet another embodiment, the cavity has a bottom opening opposite to the top opening, the bottom opening having a larger opening area than the top opening, and the housing being configured so that the electronic device can be inserted into or removed from the cavity via either the top opening or the bottom opening.

In one preferred embodiment, the flexible material of the integral body is an elastomeric material.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable electronic device and a holster according to any of the foregoing embodiments for protecting the portable electronic device.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the portable electronic device comprises an electronic tracking device.

In a preferred example of the foregoing embodiment, the electronic tracking device is solar-powered and has an electronic element in the form of a solar panel component configured for alignment with the aperture formed in the overhang portion when the electronic device is mounted in the holster for receiving sunlight to charge the solar-powered electronic tracking device.

In another preferred example of the forgoing embodiment, the electronic tracking device is a GPS tracking device, and the holster is configured for mounting on a body part of an individual or animal, such as cattle, for tracking movements of the individual or animal.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a protective holster for a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another top perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the protective holster in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the protective holster in the direction of arrow B in

FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the protective holster taken along line C-C in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the protective holder in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the protective holster taken along line D-D in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a protective holster for a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the protective holster in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the protective holster in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the protective holster taken along line G-G in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the protective holder in FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the protective holster taken along line H-H in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a protective holster for a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the protective holster in FIG. 17 which is rotated 180° in a counterclockwise direction from the orientation shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is another bottom perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of a protective holster for a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the protective holster in FIG. 21 which is rotated 180° in a counterclockwise direction from the orientation shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is another bottom perspective view of the protective holster in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and additionally showing a portable electronic device inserted in the protective holster.

In FIGS. 1-25, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

Embodiments of the present invention provide protective holsters for portable electronic devices. For example, the protective holster is designed and intended for use with various types of electronic devices, such as tracking devices for tracking movement of individuals and/or animals (hereinafter also “user(s)”).

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1-8 thereof, an embodiment employing the principles and concepts of the protective holster for a portable electronic device (hereinafter also “holster”), generally designated by the reference number 10, will be described.

According to a feature of the present invention, holster 10 is an integral body formed in one piece, preferably from a single piece of material. Holster 10 is molded (e.g., by any known injection molding technique) or otherwise constructed of a suitable, substantially flexible material. For example, holster 10 can be made of a suitable elastomeric material. Examples of elastomers include natural rubbers, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, silicone elastomers, fluoroelastomers, polyurethane elastomers, and nitrile rubbers.

The foregoing construction of holster 10, and as further described below, affords holster 10 the necessary strength and durability for extended rugged use as well as provide the material resilience and elasticity necessary for permitting the electronic device to be readily mounted to and removed from bolster 10 as further described below. The integral body of holster 10 can also be formed in one piece from various combinations of materials, including those noted above.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the integral body of holster 10 includes a housing 11 and attachment structures 20 extending from housing 11. Housing 11 has a top opening 12 communicating with an interior space or cavity 14 dimensioned and configured to receive and accommodate therein a portable electronic device 50 as shown in FIG. 25. Cavity 14 has a base or bottom 13 opposite to opening 12 for supporting the electronic device received therein. Bottom 13 corresponds to and forms an underside of the integral body of holster 10.

In this embodiment, housing 11, including cavity 14, of holster 10 is generally rectangular-shaped for accommodating an electronic device of similar profile. In addition to opening 12 and cavity 14, housing 11 includes opposite generally parallel sides 16 (i.e., length, shown in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2) and opposite, generally parallel sides 18 (i.e., width, shown in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). Attachment structures 20 extend from respective sides 16 (longer sides) of housing 11. Each attachment structure 20 is provided with a slot 21 configured to receive a strap, belt or similar structure for removably mounting holster 10, and corresponding portable electronic device, to the user in a stable manner. In this regard, holster 10 may be of the strap- or belt-mountable type.

It should be understood that the word “holster”, as used throughout this specification, means any holder adapted to accommodate the portable electronic device, whether or not it is of the strap- or belt-mountable type most commonly referred to as a holster. Furthermore, while the various embodiments of the holster disclosed herein have a housing with a generally rectangular configuration, it should be understood that this shape can be varied so long as the selected shape conforms closely to the shape of the portable electronic device to be protected by the holster.

Holster 10 is designed and configured so that the portable electronic device can be accommodated into cavity 14 by inserting it therein through opening 12. Housing 11 of holster 10 is bounded by an overhang portion 22 extending from sides 16, 18 along an entire perimeter of opening 12. A primary purpose of overhang portion 22 is to ensure that the portable electronic device is securely retained within cavity 14 upon insertion therethrough via opening 12. The flexible nature of the material forming holster 10, including overhang portion 22, allows the material to be stretched sufficiently to facilitate insertion of the electronic device into cavity 14 until overhang portion 22 surrounds a corresponding peripheral portion of the electronic device, at which time the electronic device is firmly and securely retained within cavity 14. Once installed, holster housing 11 is configured to conform closely to the shape of the electronic device. The material forming holster 10, such as a rubbery material, provides good shock resistance for the electronic device.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, overhang portion 22 of holster housing 11 is provided with an aperture or opening 24 configured to align with a component of the electronic device that needs to be exposed to the exterior of holster housing 11, such as a solar panel for solar powered electronic devices configured for exposure to sun light to power the electronic device. Although provided in a specific location of overhang portion 22 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, the location of opening 24 can be varied depending on the location of the corresponding electronic device component. Likewise, although cavity 14 is provided with a specific configuration as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6-8, the configuration of cavity 14, including that of bottom 13, can be selected to conform to the corresponding configuration of the electronic device to be retained in cavity 14.

According to a feature of the present invention, top opening 12 is dimensioned with an opening area sufficient to permit the portable electronic device to be passed therethrough and into cavity 14. The opening area of opening 12 is selected to be smaller than overall outer dimensions of the portable electronic device such that when the electronic device is inserted into cavity 14, overhand portions 22 securely retains the electronic device within cavity 14 while maintaining operational stability for the electronic device. At the same time, the flexible nature of the material forming holster 10 is sufficient to permit the electronic device to be inserted into cavity 14 by firmly, but safely, pressing the electronic device through opening 12 of smaller opening area than the overall outer dimensions of the electronic device. In this regard, since overhang portion 22 extend from sides 16, 18 of housing 11 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, overhang portion 22 are free to undergo flexible deformation in directions towards and away from cavity 14 to further facilitate insertion of the electronic device into cavity 14. The flexible nature of the material forming holster 10, including housing 11 and overhang portion 22, also permits the electronic device to be selectively removed from cavity 14.

According to a feature of the present invention, holster 10 is specifically suitable for accommodating a portable electronic device in the form of a portable tracking device (e.g., GPS tracking device) for tracking individuals and/or animals, such as a solar-powered tracking device. When used to track individuals, holster 10, with the electronic tracking device inserted in cavity 14, is donned by an individual using a suitable strap or belt applied using slots 21 of attachment structures 20. This is facilitated by the strap- or belt-mountable nature of bolster 10. Holster 10 is donned by the individual or animal so that opening 24 formed in overhang portion 22 is aligned with the component of the electronic device that needs to be exposed to the exterior of holster housing 11, such as a solar panel for solar-powered electronic devices. In this configuration, the rear portion of holster 10 corresponding to bottom 13 of housing 11 is supported against the body part of the individual or animal. Tracking devices, such as solar-powered GPS tracking devices, are known in the art and are incorporated herein by reference.

Holster 10 is specifically adapted for securely supporting an electronic tracking device for tracking animals, such as cattle. Utilizing its strap-belt-mountable nature, holster 10 can be securely mounted around the neck, leg, torso or other part of the body of the animal being tracked without the necessity of piercing any part of the animal's body. This is in contrast to the use of standard applications and female prongs required to mount GPS ear tag devices to the ear of animals, such as cattle. Holster 10 with the electronic tracking device supported therein and mounted to the animal as noted above is less likely to be disconnected from the animal during movement as compared to GPS ear tag devices mounted (i.e., pierced) to the animal's ear. This is particularly because holster 10 would not be subjected to the rapid, repetitive movement of the animal's ear to which GPS ear tag devices are subjected. Additionally, since mounting of holster 10 to the animal's body does not require piercing of any part of the animal's body, the animal would not experience the discomfort normally experienced with piercing of its body portions, thereby substantially reducing the chances that the animal will initiate abrupt, repetitive motions to try to remove holster 10. Furthermore, holster 10 does not subject the animal to any type of infection, as may result from GPS ear tag devices.

FIG. 2S is an exemplary embodiment showing a portable electronic device 50 inserted and retained within housing cavity 14 of holster 10. In this embodiment, device 50 may be a solar-powered electronic tracking device having a solar panel section exposed to the exterior of holster 10 by opening 24 of housing 11. Device 50 may be any type of portable electronic device that is solar-powered, battery-powered, or both.

FIGS. 9-16 show a modified embodiment of the holster for a portable electronic device, generally designated at 100, according to the present invention. The structural features and function of holster 100 are as described above for holster 10 with reference to FIGS. 1-8, except as further described below. In FIGS. 1-16, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

Holster 100 differs from holster 10 in that attachment structures 20 provided with slots 21 extend from respective sides 18 rather than from respective sides 16. This configuration permits holster 100, and corresponding portable electronic device inserted therein, to be mounted to the individual or animal in a different, perhaps more suitable, orientation depending on the mounting location and/or use of the portable electronic device.

FIGS. 17-20 show another modified embodiment of the holster for a portable electronic device, generally designated at 200, according to the present invention. Holster 200 is the same as holster 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-8, except that bottom 13 of housing 11 is omitted in holster 200 to provide a bottom opening 15 communicating with top opening 12 through cavity 14. In FIGS. 1-20, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

The provision of bottom opening 15 provides holster 200 with an open back, resulting in housing 11 having a through-opening extending through top opening 12 and bottom opening 15. Bottom opening 15 is configured with a larger opening area than top opening 12, as best shown in FIGS. 17, 19, 20. This difference in opening area is due, at least in part, to overhang portion 22 extending from top opening 12 as shown in FIG. 18 and described above for holster 10.

The provision of bottom opening 15 provides an alternative access point for inserting and removing the electronic device into and from cavity 14 (i.e., in addition to the access point provided by top opening 12). This is further facilitated by bottom opening 15 having a larger opening area than top opening 12 as described above. The opening area of bottom opening 15 is selected to facilitate insertion and removal of the electronic device into and from cavity 14 while ensuring that the electronic device is securely retained within cavity 14 with high stability and without compromising the durability of holster 200. In this regard, the interior surfaces of cavity 14 are configured to firmly retain the electronic device therein.

Another advantage of providing bottom opening 15 is that this configuration of holster 200 allows for any moisture that may generate within housing 11, including cavity 14, to further dissipate through bottom opening 15, in addition to moisture being allowed to dissipate through top opening 12.

During use, holster 200 containing the portable electronic device is donned by an individual or animal as described above for holster 10, including opening 24 of housing 11 being aligned with the component (e.g., solar panel) of the electronic device that needs to be exposed to the exterior of holster housing 11. Holster 200 is also positioned on the body of the individual or animal so that the rear portion of holster 200 corresponding to bottom opening 15 is supported against the body part of the individual or animal. This further ensures that the electronic device is firmly retained within cavity 14 of holster 200.

FIGS. 21-24 show another modified embodiment of the holster for a portable electronic device, generally designated at 300, according to the present invention. Holster 300 is similar to holster 100, except that holster 300 omits bottom 13 as described above for holster 200. The benefits and advantages of holster 300 are as described above for holsters 100 and 200. In FIGS. 1-24, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present invention, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. However, it is to be appreciated that features of one or more embodiments can be combined given the teachings of the present invention provided herein.

The foregoing is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the present invention and that those skilled in the art may implement various modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A holster for protecting a portable electronic device, the holster comprising:

a one-piece integral body made of a flexible material, the body including: a housing having a top opening communicating with an interior cavity dimensioned and configured to receive and accommodate the portable electronic device via the top opening, an overhang portion extending from an entire perimeter of the top opening, and an aperture formed in a part of the overhang portion and configured to be aligned with an electronic element of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the housing; and a pair of attachment structures extending from the housing for removably mounting the housing to a user of the holster.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the housing, including cavity, is rectangular shaped for accommodating an electronic device of similar profile.

3. The holster of claim 2, wherein the attachment structures extend from respective long sides of the rectangular shaped housing.

4. The holster of claim 3, wherein each of the attachment structures has a slot configured to receive a strap, belt or similar structure for removably mounting the integral body to the user of the holster.

5. The holster of claim 2, wherein the attachment structures extend from respective short sides of the rectangular shaped housing.

6. The holster of claim 5, wherein each of the attachment structures has a slot configured to receive a strap, belt or similar structure for removably mounting the integral body to the user of the holster.

7. The holster of claim 1, wherein the cavity has a base opposite to the top opening for supporting the electronic device received therein, the base forming an underside of the integral body.

8. The holster of claim 1, wherein the cavity has a bottom opening opposite to the top opening, the bottom opening having a larger opening area than the top opening, and the housing being configured so that the electronic device can be inserted into or removed from the cavity via either the top opening or the bottom opening.

9. The holster of claim 1, wherein the flexible material of the integral body is an elastomeric material.

10. In combination, a portable electronic device and a holster according to claim 1 for protecting the portable electronic device.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the portable electronic device comprises an electronic tracking device.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the electronic tracking device is solar-powered and has an electronic element in the form of a solar panel component configured for alignment with the aperture formed in the overhang portion when the electronic device is mounted in the holster for receiving sunlight to charge the solar-powered electronic tracking device.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the electronic tracking device is a GPS tracking device; and wherein the holster is configured for mounting on a body part of an individual or animal, such as cattle, for tracking movements of the individual or animal.