US20050092791A1 - Carrying system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device carrying system (100) includes a belt clip component (104) and a swivel base component (108) coupled to each other using a swivel member (110). The swivel member (110) allows for both ends to swivel or rotate freely, allowing the electronic device being carried by the carrying system (100) to be rotated in a number of positions. The belt clip component (104) includes a number of channels (302) and the swivel base component (108) includes a number of channels (602) which allow the carrying case (106) or electronic device as the case may be to be locked into a number of different positions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• This invention relates in general to the field of carrying devices and systems, and more particularly to a carrying system for an electronic device.
BACKGROUND
• Present day electronic device carrying systems such as holsters and belt clips do not provide enough flexibility to the electronic device user to allow him to swivel the electronic device 360 degrees and in multiple axes of rotation. With the increase in features in electronic devices such as cellular telephones, a user sometimes needs to view the screen of the cellular telephone or other area while the telephone is still attached to the belt clip or holster without significant effort in order to take advantage of features such as Caller ID. Given the above, a need exists for a carrying system which would alleviate the problem mentioned above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
• FIG. 1 shows a side view of a carrying system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows a view of a two ended swivel member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a partial view of a belt clip component in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 shows a full frontal view of the belt clip component ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 shows a top view of the belt clip member.
• FIG. 6 shows a frontal view of the swivel base member that attaches to the holster or directly to the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7 shows a side view of the swivel base member ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 shows a top view of the swivel base member ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 9 shows a side view of an electronic device being carried by a carrying system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures.
• Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a side view of an electronic device carryingsystem100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Electronicdevice carrying system100 includes a belt clip portion comprising a spring loadedbelt clip102 and a first swivel member (or simply referred to as a first member) orbelt clip member104. Firstswivel member104 is attached to a second swivel member (or simply referred to as a second member) orswivel base member108 using a swivel member such as a two-endedswivel member110 which connects thebelt clip member104 to theswivel base member108. Swivelbase member108 can be attached directly to acarry holster106 or alternatively directly to an electronic device such as a cellular telephone, etc. (not shown) using conventional fastening techniques such as fasteners or adhesives. Although in the preferred embodiment the carrying system is designed to carry an electronic device, it can be used to carry non-electronic devices such as tools, etc.
• InFIG. 2, there is shown an isometric view of the two-endedswivel member110 which has a “bone-shaped” appearance. In one embodiment, the firstspherical end202 is smaller in diameter than the secondspherical end204. The first and secondspherical ends202 and204 provide for complete swiveling (rotation) of the carry holster (or electronic device)106, as well as allows for swiveling at the end attached tobelt clip member104. Theextension206 between the first and secondspherical ends202 and204 ofswivel member110 allows for the carry holster orradio106 to be extended outward away from thebelt clip component104 before it is swiveled.
• InFIG. 3, there is shown a partial view of thebelt clip member104.Belt clip member104 includes a large lead-in opening304 which allows for the firstspherical end202 to be inserted into thebelt clip member104. Thebelt clip member104 includes a centralcircular opening306 having radiatingchannels302 oriented approximately 90 degrees to each other, although any other suitable orientation and number of radiatingchannels302 can be used. Once the firstspherical end202 of theswivel member110 is inserted into thebelt clip member104 via lead-in opening304, the firstspherical end202 rests inside a cavity such as a substantially spherical cavity found inside of thebelt clip member104. Theextension length206 of the two-endedswivel member110 can be locked into any one of theradiating channels302, or it can be allowed to rotate 360 degrees when it is oriented straight out fromcentral opening306. Since thespherical end202 ofswivel member110 has a larger diameter than thecentral opening306, theswivel member110 is maintained attached to thebelt clip member104, while allowing theswivel member110 to swivel freely inside of thebelt clip member104.
• A full front view of thebelt clip member104 is shown inFIG. 4. Astopper402 prevents theswivel member110 from being released out of its position within thecentral opening area306. Thestopper402 can be an integral bump in thetop channel302 which requires a large force to remove the swivel member, or a separate piece part that is put in place to help retain the two-endedswivel member110 from being disconnected from thebelt clip member104 once it has been inserted.
• InFIG. 5 there is shown a top view of thebelt clip member104 with thetop channel302 shown. Thestopper402 is also shown inFIG. 5. Thebelt clip102,belt clip member104 and swivelmember110 can be manufactured from a number of materials including plastic.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, there is shown a front view of theswivel base member108. Similar tobelt clip member104,swivel base member108 includes acentral opening604 having a circular front opening (spherical shape inside) and radiatingchannels602 spaced approximately 90 degrees apart (or other suitable orientation based on the design requirements). Theradiating channels602 again likeradiating channels302 found in thebelt clip member104 are used for locking the two-endedswivel member110 in different orientations. Located inside of thecircular front opening604 is a spherical cavity for receiving the secondspherical end204 of the two-endedswivel member110. The spherical cavity is larger than the diameter of the secondspherical end204 and thereby allows the two-endedswivel member110 to swivel or rotate freely. Theswivel base component108 can be attached directly to carryingcase106 or the electronic device (not shown) using conventional fasteners or adhesives.
• InFIG. 7, there is shown a side view of theswivel base member108. The swivel base member includes anopening702 all the way through the back, which allows theswivel member110 to be inserted straight in with the first spherical (smaller)end202 inserted first through the opening702. Sincecentral opening604 is smaller in diameter than the second (larger)spherical end204 it prevents the two-endedswivel member110 from coming out through thecentral opening604. InFIG. 8, there is shown a top view of theswivel base member108.
• InFIG. 9, there is shown a side view of anelectronic device902 being carried by the carrying system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The two endedswivel member110 is shown extended horizontally and in position to allow bothends202 and204 of the two-endedswivel member110 to rotate freely. The user can then select which of theradiating channels302 and602 he wants to “lock” the two-endedswivel member110 into. The two-endedswivel member110 allows theelectronic device902 to be carried in a number of different orientations, while allowing for easy viewing of theelectronic device902.
• In one embodiment, once theswivel member110 is inserted into place with the first spherical end protruding from thecentral opening604, the carry case orradio106 is attached to theswivel base member108. This prevents the two-endedswivel member110 from being detached from theswivel base member108.
• In operation, if a user lifts up on carry case106 (or the electronic device if the swivel base member is attached directly to the electronic device) the two-ended swivel member110 moves horizontal and away from thebelt clip component104, allowing for the carry case106 (or electronic device) to be rotated in multiple directions. The user can then select which of thechannels302 in the belt clip component and which of thechannels602 in theswivel base component108 the user wants to the “lock” the two-endedswivel member110 into.Channels302 and602 provide a snug pressure fit in order to keep the carry case (or electronic device)106 in place once its position is selected.
• Electronicdevice carrying system100 allows for easy movement and adjustment of the electronic device or carryingcase106 as the case may be. The use of the two-endedswivel member110 makes the design simple to manufacture, while providing multiple positions in which the carry case or electronic device can be locked into. This affords the user easy viewing of the electronic device if for example a telephone call has been received and the user wants to read his telephone's display (e.g., caller ID number, etc.).
• While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. An electronic device carrying system, comprising:

a belt clip member having a central opening having at least one radiating channel;

a swivel base member having a central opening having at least one radiating channel; and

a swivel member coupled between the belt clip member and the swivel member.

2. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the swivel member comprises a two-ended swivel member having first and second spherical ends.

3. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 2, wherein the first spherical end is smaller than the second spherical end.

4. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 2, wherein the belt clip member and the swivel base members each include a spherical cavity, and the first spherical end of the two-ended swivel member is located within the belt clip component's spherical cavity and the second spherical end of the two-ended swivel member is located within the swivel base component's spherical cavity.

5. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 4, wherein the swivel base member is attached directly to an electronic device carrying case.

6. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 4, wherein the two-ended swivel member can be placed in a first position wherein its first and second spherical ends can rotate within their corresponding spherical cavities.

7. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 6, wherein the two-ended swivel member can be placed in a second position in which it is locked in place using the at least one radiating channels found in the belt clip member and the swivel base member.

8. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 7, wherein the two-ended swivel member, the belt clip member and the swivel base member are manufactured from plastic.

9. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 4, further comprising:

a belt clip connected to the belt clip member.

10. An electronic device carrying system as defined inclaim 1, wherein both the belt clip member and the swivel base members each include a plurality of radiating channels oriented 90 degrees from each other.

11. A carrying system, comprising:

a first member having a cavity and a central opening having a plurality of radiating channels; and

a swivel member having a first spherical end, the first spherical end being located within the first swivel member's cavity.

12. A carrying system as defined inclaim 11, wherein the swivel member comprises a two-ended swivel member that includes an extension that can be locked into one of the plurality of radiating channels.

13. A carrying system as defined inclaim 12, further comprising:

a second member having a cavity and a central opening having a plurality of radiating channels; and

the two-ended swivel member includes a second spherical end that is located within the second member's cavity.

14. A carrying system as defined inclaim 13, further comprising:

an electronic device carrying case attached to the second member.

15. A carrying system as defined inclaim 13, wherein the first and second members each include four radiating channels each oriented 90 degrees from each other.

16. A carrying system as defined inclaim 15, wherein the two-ended swivel member can be placed in a first position which allows the first and second members to rotate.

17. A carrying system as defined inclaim 16, wherein the two-ended swivel member includes an extension that can be locked into one of the radiating channel found in the first member and one of the radiating channels found in the second member.

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