WO2001012010A1 - Carrier mount - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrier mount (1) for a personal electronic device has a pouch (2) to hold the device, and an opening (10) through which the device may be introduced into the interior of the pouch. The pouch is securable to a frame of exercise apparatus by means of a releasable securing collar (7) which is typically adjustable to secure to frames of differing dimensions. The pouch is typically of padded water resistant material.

Description

Carrier Mount

The present invention relates to a carrier mount and particularly to a carrier mount for personal effects such as personal electronic apparatus including, but not limited to, mobile phones, personal stereo players and other audio apparatus to be used when exercising on exercise apparatus.

Personal disc and tape players are known which are provided with means of a attachment to the person of a user. Likewise, mobile phone carriers are well known. Such arrangements are often used during exercise. Such players and carriers are typically clipped to a users belt or waistband .

An improved arrangement has now been devised.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a carrier mount for a personal electronic device, which carrier mount comprises:

I) a pouch shaped and dimensioned to hold the device, and having a opening through which the device may be introduced into the interior of the pouch; and,

II) securing means for releasably securing the pouch to a frame member comprising exercise apparatus, the securing means including a collar arranged to secure around the frame member. The invention enables the device (e.g. mobile phone, audio player, etc) to be securely attached to the frame of an exercise machine (such as a jogging machine or a cycle frame) rather than attached to the person of the user. This enables the controls of the device to be accessed more conveniently during exercise (and, particularly for disc players, track jumping during vigorous exercise to be reduced or prevented) . The carrier mount also exhibits further advantageous features as described herein.

The pouch is preferably flexible, and/or of water resistant or waterproof material . Desirably the pouch is padded or quilted to minimise the risk of impact or shock damage to the electronic device.

Closure means is preferably provided for substantially closing the mouth of the pouch when the device is received in the interior of the pouch. The closure means may comprise zipper arrangement or, alternatively any other means of holding the mouth of the pouch in a closed condition.

The pouch is preferably provided with a further pocket either internally or, more preferably externally of the pouch. The pocket is beneficially sealable, typically by means of a zipper arrangement or the like.

Means is preferably provided for permitting an electrical connection lead (for headphones, earplugs or the like) to extend into the interior of the pouch when the mouth is substantially closed. In one embodiment this may be achieved by the closure means for closing the mouth being configured to define or permit a relatively small aperture or gap permitting the connection lead to extend therethrough. In an alternative embodiment an aperture preformed in the pouch may perform this function.

The collar portion of the securing means is preferably arranged to be positioned adjacent a wall of the pouch. Means is preferably provided for ensuring a tight fit of the collar about the tubular frame element of the exercise apparatus. The collar is preferably therefore tightenable about the tubular frame element, and also preferably subsequently loosenable to permit removal of the securing means from the tubular frame.

In one embodiment, the securing means may comprise a rigid or spring tightenable collar bracket (which may be a split collar) , desirably having means for selectively altering the effective collar diameter to permit tightening and/or loosening.

In an alternative embodiment, the securing means may comprise a flexible element (such as a length of webbing or the like) arranged to pass over the tubular frame element. Typically in such an embodiment the flexible element length will be connected proximate a first end to the pouch and releasably connected proximate a second end to the pouch. The releasable connection will beneficially be by means of a quick release fastening arrangement, such as a popper, stud or VELCRO type connection. The pouch is preferably configured to have opposed side panels defining major faces and a relatively shallow depth (width) . The precise configuration will depend upon the shape of the device to be retained in the carrier mount. The mouth is preferably provided along the uppermost edge of the pouch. The uppermost edge of the pouch is preferably substantially arcuate, particularly for receiving a disc player.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides, in combination :

i) exercise apparatus; and,

ii) a carrier mount for a personal electronic device, which carrier mount comprises:

a) a pouch shaped and dimensioned to hold the electronic device, and having an opening through which the electronic device may be introduced into the interior of the pouch; and,

b) securing means for releasably securing the pouch to a frame member comprising exercise apparatus, the securing means including a collar arranged to secure around the frame member .

The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a carrier mount according to the invention; and,

Figure 2 is a schematic end elevation of the carrier mount of figure 1.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a carrier mount 1 for a personal CD player (not shown) . The carrier mount 1 comprises a relatively compliant pouch 2 having opposed major panels 3,4 of padded material having respective plastics (waterproof) outer skins. The uppermost edge of the pouch 2 is arcuate and provided with an elongate mouth 10 (permitting access to the interior of the pouch 2. The mouth 10 is provided with a zip fastener closure arrangement 5. (As an alternative a VELCRO type closure could be provided) .

Rear panel 4 of the pouch 2 is has secured (typically by stitching) a securing bracket 6 including a collar 7 expandable and contractible by means of a screw actuator 8. A zipper closure pocket 9 is provided on front panel 3 of the pouch.

In use a personal CD player is received in the interior of the pouch 2 and the zipper 5 closed to close the mouth 10 of the pouch. A small gap is left unclosed by the zipper 5 permitting the earpiece electrical connection lead to pass into the pouch and connect to the CD player. The bracket 6 is opened by releasing screw actuator 9, thereby permitting the split collar 7 to be located around a tubular frame member of a selected exercise apparatus. The collar is then contracted by manual manipulation of actuator 7 to contract and clamp securely on the tubular frame element of the exercise apparatus. Other collar arrangements are envisaged (such as a flexible web material length passing against the frame member) , however the secure clamping of the expandable/contractible collar is preferred.

The carrier mount of the invention enables a user to securely mount audio apparatus to exercise apparatus, whilst enabling unfettered use as normal . The waterproof (or at least water resistant) skin of the pouch is particularly useful for gym situations in which perspiration is particularly prevalent. The padded or quilted nature of the pouch also guards against shock or impact damage to the audio apparatus .

It will be appreciated that the invention has been described in an exemplary embodiment for use with an audio device. It will however be readily apparent that the invention encompasses use with other devices, particularly other personal electronic devices such as mobile phones and the like.

Claims

Claims :

1. a carrier mount for a personal electronic device, which carrier mount comprises:

i) a pouch shaped and dimensioned to hold the device, and having a opening through which the device may be introduced into the interior of the pouch; and,

ii) securing means for releasably securing the pouch to a frame member comprising exercise apparatus, the securing means including a collar arranged to secure around the frame member.

2. A carrier mount according to claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a flexible (conformable) material.

3. A carrier mount according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the exterior of the pouch comprises a waterproof or water resistant material .

4. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the pouch has an impact resistant panel portion such as a quilted or padded panel portion.

5. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the pouch comprises opposed major faces and an opening in the region of the upper portion of the major faces permitting the electronic device to be received between the opposed major faces.

6. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim including closure means for partially closing the opening to inhibit removal of the electronic device but define a smaller opening permitting an electrical cable connected to the device to extend into the interior of the pouch.

7. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, including closure means for at least partially closing the pouch opening wherein the closure means draws together the opening defining edges of the pouch.

8. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein means is provided for permitting an electrical connection lead (for headphones, earplugs or the like) to extend into the interior of the pouch when the mouth is substantially closed.

9. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein closure means for closing the opening through which the device is introduced comprises a zipper closure .

10. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the collar portion of the securing means is positioned adjacent a wall of the pouch.

11. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the collar of the securing means is adjustable for ensuring a tight fit of the collar about tubular frame members of differing dimensions.

12. A carrier mount according to claim 11, wherein the collar is tightenable about the tubular frame element, and also subsequently loosenable to permit removal of the securing means from the frame .

13. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a rigid or spring tightenable collar bracket.

14. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means collar comprises a flexible element (such as a length of webbing or the like) arranged to pass over the tubular frame element.

15. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is a quick release fastening arrangement.

16. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the pouch is configured to have opposed side panels defining major faces and a relatively shallow depth (width) .

17. A carrier mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the aperture for receiving the device is provided along the uppermost edge of the pouch, The uppermost edge of the pouch being substantially arcuate, particularly for receiving a disc player.

8. An arrangement comprising, in combination:

i) exercise apparatus; and,

ii) a carrier mount for a personal electronic device, which carrier mount comprises :

c) a pouch shaped and dimensioned to hold the electronic device, and having an opening through which the electronic device may be introduced into the interior of the pouch; and,

d) securing means for releasably securing the pouch to a frame member comprising exercise apparatus, the securing means including a collar arranged to secure around the frame member.