US20140217135A1 - Flexible finger strap and surface mount for electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system comprising a connection apparatus and mount designed for easier and more secure transport of a mobile phone or other hand-held electronic device, and wherein an electronic device can be secured to a surface. The connection apparatus includes a flexible strap, a rigid base, and an adhesive. The mount includes a mount faceplate, a stem, and a surface attachment system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 29/453,073, filed on Apr. 24, 2013, titled ELASTIC FINGER STRAP AND BASE, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/481,581, filed May 25, 2012, titled ELASTIC FINGER STRAP AND SURFACE MOUNT FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/490,516, filed on May 26, 2011, titled ELASTIC FINGER STRAP AND SURFACE MOUNT FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
• The present disclosure relates to a system comprising a connection apparatus and mount designed for easier and more secure transport of a mobile phone or other hand-held electronic device, and wherein an electronic device can be secured to a surface.
SUMMARY
• In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a flexible strap that is adhered to a rigid base that is, in turn, adhered to the back of an electronic device allowing the user to hold the electronic device securely with one or more fingers. The strap is flexible enough to allow a user to hold the device in a variety of ways, making it safer as well as more practical and ergonomic to use. The rigid base may be bowtie-shaped, as shown in the drawings, or of a shape, design or color that can be used to distinguish or stylize the electronic device it is attached to. The strap and strap base are of a low profile (ideally less than one quarter of an inch) so as to not interfere with the usual operation or grip of the device or other methods of securing the device.
• In another aspect, there is disclosed a complementary base that adheres to a surface and mates to the strap, enabling an electronic device to be mounted to any surface and used in a “hands free” fashion. The complementary base may attach to a solid surface, article of clothing, vehicle interior, handbag, or luggage, among other things.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates the flexible strap of one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the die cut adhesive used to adhere the rigid base to an electronic device in one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the rigid base for the flexible strap in one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the rigid base for the flexible strap in one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the rigid base with the flexible strap attached in one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the rigid base with the flexible strap attached and a die cut adhesive in place in one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the rigid base with the strap attached.
• FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention attached to an electronic device.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the present invention in the hand of a user and attached to an electronic device.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the present invention in the hand of a user and attached to an electronic device.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the mount faceplate of the present invention with the rigid base engaged.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective rear view of one embodiment of the mount faceplate of the present invention with the rigid base engaged.
• FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of the mount faceplate of the present invention with three backer options.
• FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of the strap and mount of the present invention in use with an electronic device.
• FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the mount faceplate with recesses and protrusions.
• FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of the mount faceplate with the rigid base engaged.
• FIG. 17 illustrates the mount faceplate attached to a stem and surface attachment system.
• FIG. 18 illustrates the mount faceplate with various protrusions for aligning and securing the base.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of a longer version of the rigid base.
• FIG. 20 illustrates a front view of the elongated rigid base with the flexible strap.
• FIG. 21 illustrates a rear view of a longer rigid base with elastic attached in channels at both ends.
• FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of a longer rigid base without the flexible strap and with recesses for receiving the protrusions of the mount faceplate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The exemplary embodiments described herein in detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular strap, base and mount, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
• The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, the terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “attached,” “coupled,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect attachments and couplings.
• Referring now toFIG. 7, there is depicted aconnection apparatus10 comprising aflexible strap102 spanning the length of arigid base302. Theflexible strap102 is of an elastic fabric material, though may be comprised of rubber or similar flexible material. In the case of rubber, theflexible strap102 could provide additional friction for secure handling of an electronic device. Theflexible strap102 is flexible enough to allow a user's fingers to be inserted between theflexible strap102 and arigid base302 for easier holding and control of the electronic device to which therigid base302 is attached. Theflexible strap102 can be permanently or removably secured to therigid base302 at both ends, as illustrated inFIG. 5, and attached in such a way that it is held taut against therigid base302. Theflexible strap102 may be printed upon with text or graphics in some embodiments. The width of theflexible strap102 may vary. Theflexible strap102 may have a loop to attach lanyards or trinkets. Therigid base302, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, may be of plastic, metal, wood or other rigid material. Additionally, therigid base302 may be may be semi-rigid or even flexible. For example, it could be made of neoprene or rubber. Therigid base302 can adhere to the back side of any hand-held electronic device, protective case, or other solid surface using an adhesive202 with strong bonding capability, but with such adhesive202 also being removable; the VHB family of tapes or other similar adhesives may be used as the adhesive202 in some embodiments of the present invention. Alternatively, therigid base302 could adhere to the backside of any hand-held device, protective case, or other solid surface through the use of a magnet. For example, therigid base302 can contain an embedded or surface magnet or it can be made of metal and capable of attaching to a magnetic surface.FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of theadhesive202. In other embodiments, theflexible strap102 andrigid base302 may be attached by physically engaging an electronic device's protective case or tensioned via buckle, snaps or by expanding the length of therigid base302.
• Referring now toFIGS. 1,2,3, and4, the three components of theconnection apparatus10 are depicted.FIG. 1 illustrates aflexible strap102 comprising a strip of elastic material.FIG. 3 illustrates the front of arigid base302 andFIG. 4 illustrates the rear of arigid base302.FIG. 2 illustrates an adhesive202, which has a high bond adhesive but which will remove without damage to the device, its case, or therigid base302. To improve adhesion, the adhesive202 may be die cut to match the shape of therigid base302, as shown in the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 2 and 6. In some embodiments, the adhesive202 may cover only a portion of one side of therigid base302. Some embodiments may use a single piece of adhesive material, and other embodiments may use multiple pieces of adhesive material.
• Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a thin, bowtie-shapedrigid base302 with a front and rear face, two ends and two contoured sides. The sides and corners can be beveled towards the front face to create a smoother feel for the user. The sides can be contoured such that therigid base302 becomes narrower than theflexible strap102 at one or more points, creating a gap between theconnection apparatus10 and theflexible strap102 for easier insertion of fingers or attachment to a mount. At either end of therigid base302 areelongated recesses304. Theseprotrusions304 may also be the entire depth of therigid base302 creating a pass-through. Referring toFIG. 4, the rear face of therigid base302 is smooth, withchannels402 at each end to receive a portion of theflexible strap102. Thechannels402 run the length of therigid base302, are not visible from the front, and are as wide as theflexible strap102. Therigid base302 may be made to different lengths and widths to accommodate different mounting apparatus or appendages. Therigid base302 may be integrated with the case of the electronic device. In one embodiment, therigid base302 may be a protective case for a mobile phone.
• FIG. 8 illustrates theconnection apparatus10, which includes theflexible strap102 andrigid base302, connected to the back of an electronic device.FIGS. 9 and 10 demonstrate use of theconnection apparatus10 when theflexible strap102 andrigid base302 are attached to an electronic device and held in a user's hand.
• Referring now toFIGS. 11 through 18, acomplementary mount20 for securing an electronic device to a surface is shown. Themount20 interfaces with theflexible strap102 andrigid base302. Themount20 includes amount faceplate1102, astem1702 that allows for positioning, and asurface attachment system1106. As illustrated inFIG. 17, themount faceplate1102 may attach to thestem1702 with acenter rivet1202 that allows for a variety ofstems1702 andsurface attachment systems1106 or a molded fitting1704 that allows themount faceplate1102 to be positioned.FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of the mount faceplate of the present invention with three backer options.
• Themount faceplate1102 can be made of a rigid material and can have twoconcave recesses1104 in the shape of therigid base302. Theconcave recesses1104 may vary in dimension and placement depending on the shape of therigid base302. Theconcave recesses1104 are placed perpendicular to one another to accommodate holding an electronic device in either landscape or portrait orientation. Themount faceplate1102 hasprotrusions1502 that fit securely inrecesses304 to securely hold and align the attached electronic device. Theprotrusions1502 may be a variety of shapes and positions as illustrated inFIG. 18.FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the faceplate withrecesses1104 andprotrusions1502.
• Referring toFIGS. 11,12 and14,16 themount faceplate1102 can receive theflexible strap102 andrigid base302 when therigid base302 is aligned into theconcave recesses1104 and theprotrusions1502 in themount faceplate1102 are “keyed” in to therecesses304 in therigid base302. Theflexible strap102 aligns against thestem1702 in the center of the mountingfaceplate1102, holding the electronic device in place. Themount faceplate1102 may be made from, or include in its construction, plastic, wood, metal, leather, rubber, or synthetic or other material. Further, themount faceplate1102 may be magnetic in that it contains a magnet or is made of metal and capable of attaching to a magnetic surface. Themount faceplate1102 at the point of therecesses1104 is equal to or slightly less than the length of therigid base302. Themount faceplate1102 is secured to itsstem1702 andsurface attachment system1106 with sufficient height to enable the securing of an electronic device at a usable angle. Thestem1702 can be semi-flexible, wherein it can be bent into different angles or directions and can hold the angle or direction into which it is bent. Thesurface attachment system1106 may include but is not limited to, suction cups, a solid surface with high bond adhesive tape, flexible wire or armature, VELCRO, or magnets. Thesurface attachment system1106 can be designed to mount to a wall or any flat surface.
• In some embodiments, themount20 is contoured to attach to a computer case or the case of a tablet computer or e-book reader or similarly flat-screened device. Themount20 may also be shaped to attach to a musical instrument, bicycle, or tool. Themount20 may also attach to objects via magnets, VELCRO, snaps, adhesive strip, hooks, bolt and nut, screw, or any other means of attachment. Themount20 may employ rubber or other high friction material in order to securely hold a device.
• FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate an elongated form of theconnection apparatus10. More specifically,FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of an elongatedrigid base302, andFIG. 20 illustrates a front view of the elongatedrigid base302 with the elongatedflexible strap102 attached.
• In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22, therigid base302 can includerecesses304 at the ends and in the middle of therigid base302.FIG. 21 illustrates a rear view, andFIG. 22 illustrates a front view, of therigid base302 withrecesses304 at the ends and in the middle of therigid base302 where therecesses304 create a pass-through in therigid base302. InFIG. 21, therigid base302 is attached to theflexible strap302 through thechannels402. InFIG. 22, therecesses304 are shown on the front of therigid base302 and noflexible strap102 is attached.

Claims (4)

We claim:

1. An apparatus that facilitates holding an electronic device comprising:

a rigid base, having a first end, a midpoint, and a second end, that is configured to adhere to an electronic device, and

a flexible strap attached to the rigid base.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible strap is configured to partially encircle a portion of a user's hand.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the rigid base has a shape that is wider at the first end and the second end than at the midpoint.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible strap and rigid base are configured to mate with a mount.

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