Retractable grip attachment for a mobile phone

A grip attachment for an electronic device for grasping and controlling a camera of the electronic device with one hand. The grip attachment includes a main body and a retractable enlarged grip extension attached to a first end of the main body. The main body is attached to the electronic device. The enlarged grip extension is sized and shaped to enable a user's hand to hold the grip extension and attached electronic device with one hand. The retractable enlarged grip extension includes a flexible grip segment which lies flat in a retracted position and forms an enlarged grip in a deployed position. The main body includes a connector for interfacing with a connector of the electronic device. The grip extension also includes an external control located on an outer surface of the grip attachment for activating a camera control of the electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to electronic accessories. Specifically, and not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a grip attachment providing camera control for an electronic device such as a mobile phone.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the advent of digital cameras, photography has become more popular than ever. Digital cameras enable users to take and store many photographs. Because of their compact size, digital cameras are easy to carry, thereby allowing many people to always have quick access to their cameras. However, as popular as digital cameras have become, mobile phones with their highly capable camera functions, have literally changed photography in a completely different way. These camera phones are capable of taking high resolution photos and incorporate many photographic features found on most digital cameras. Touch screen telephones are particular popular whereby a user interfaces with the camera by using the touch screen. However, these touch screen camera phones suffer from several disadvantages. First, a user cannot easily hold a phone with just one hand when taking photographs or video segments. With touch screen phones, a user usually uses both hands where the user's first hand holds the camera while the user's second hand manipulates the camera functions by touching the touch screen. This is a very cumbersome process where a user typically uses both hands to take a photograph. Many traditional cameras, prior to mobile camera phones, often used a hand grip located on one side of the main body of the camera. Oftentimes, the hand grip incorporated a shutter release on the hand grip which enabled a user to grasp and take a photograph with just one hand. It would be advantageous to have an apparatus which enables a user to conveniently take a photograph or video from a mobile phone with just one hand.

There are existing phone cases which enable a user to take a photograph by depressing a button on the case. However, none of these existing cases enables a user to easily grasp the camera body and take a photograph with just one hand. U.S. Pat. No. 8,244,299 to Bishop provides a grip attachment for a mobile phone which enables a user to grasp and control a camera function of the mobile phone with one hand. However, Bishop does not allow ease in carriage of the grip and mobile phone. In particular, with the grip attached to the mobile phone, the mobile phone is difficult to store in small areas, such as pockets.

It would be advantageous to have a hand grip adapter which is easily attached to a mobile phone and enables a user to manipulate the camera functions from the hand grip without touching the touch screen while simultaneously allow ease in carriage in small areas. It is the object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a grip attachment for an electronic device which enables a user to grasp and control a camera of the electronic device with one hand. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a grip attachment for an electronic device. The grip attachment includes a main body and a retractable enlarged grip extension attached to a first end of the main body. The main body is attached to the electronic device. In addition, the enlarged grip extension is sized and shaped to enable a user's hand to hold the grip extension and attached electronic device with one hand. The retractable enlarged grip extension includes a flexible grip segment which lies flat in a retracted position and forms an enlarged grip in a deployed position. The main body includes a connector for interfacing with a connector of the electronic device. The grip extension also includes an external control located on an outer surface of the grip attachment for activating a camera control of the electronic device. The external control may interface with the mobile phone by utilizing a pin connector interface, a Bluetooth interface, sound module, Infrared Interface, or any other interface allowing the grip attachment to utilize a camera control of the electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a top perspective view of a fixed grip attachment10illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 8,244,299. The grip attachment includes a main body12having an enlarged grip extension14. The grip extension is sized and shaped to fit comfortably in a user's palm providing an enlarged surface area greater than a perimeter of a mobile phone. The grip attachment includes a slotted end16sized and shaped to accommodate a mobile phone upper end. The slotted end is bordered by side borders18and20and the grip extension14. Within an interior space20of the slotted end is a pin connector22which is capable of receiving an end portion pin connector of the mobile phone. The pin connector may be any electronic pin connector, such as a standard male/female30pin connector utilized on many mobile phones. The grip attachment may include a shutter release button24located on a top side26of the grip extension14. Furthermore, the grip extension may include an on/off button (not shown) and a zoom toggle switch28.

The grip attachment10ofFIG. 1may also include pass-through openings30allowing sound passage to and from the mobile phone (e.g., microphone and speaker access from the mobile phone). The openings may include a baffling chamber to enhance sound or provide external speaker operation (e.g., a megaphone effect). The grip attachment may also include a pass through pin connector (or other type of connection device)40enabling connection of a cable connection for charging, downloading, flashcard adapter, phone syncing, etc., without removing the grip attachment10from the mobile phone. The grip attachment may include a case lock mechanism50for attachment to a partial mobile phone case which will be discussed below. The grip attachment may also include a wrist strap/lanyard attachment mechanism60. A lanyard may be attached to the lanyard attachment mechanism to provide ease in transporting the grip attachment and mobile phone.

As discussed above, U.S. Pat. No. 8,244,299 to Bishop provides an innovative grip attachment for a mobile phone which enables a user to grasp and control a camera function of the mobile phone with one hand. However, Bishop does not allow ease in carriage of the grip and mobile phone. In particular, with the grip attached to the mobile phone, the mobile phone is difficult to store in small areas, such as pockets.

The present invention is a retractable grip attachment providing camera control of a mobile phone. The present invention provides the same functionality of the grip attachment of U.S. Pat. No. 8,244,299 in a retractable configuration.FIG. 2is a front perspective view of a retractable grip attachment100in a deployed position in one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a second front perspective view of the retractable grip attachment100ofFIG. 2. The grip attachment includes a main body102having an outer side104and an inner side106. The grip attachment includes a grip assembly108, and a flexible grip segment110affixed to the outer side104. In addition, a finger bar112is affixed to the flexible grip segment, and a push button lock114. Furthermore, the grip attachment100includes a pivotable switch bar116located in between the grip segment110and an upper surface118of the main body. The pivotable switch bar pivots about pivot point120. Additionally, the pivotable switch bar is attached to the underside of the grip segment110and pivots about pivot point134. The flexible grip segment110in the retracted position lies flat against the upper surface118of the main body (not shown inFIGS. 2 and 3). In the deployed position, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the flexible grip segment110is slid toward a first end122. As the flexible grip segment is slid toward the first end122, the excess material of the grip segment forms an enlarged grip124. Additionally, the switch bar116lies flat with the flexible grip segment in the retracted position (not shown inFIGS. 2 and 3). In the deployed position, the switch bar pivots about pivot point120and pivot point134to provide additional support to the enlarged grip124. At the top of the pivot switch bar is a switch button130which is utilized to activate a shutter button or other camera function of the electronic device to which the retractable grip attachment100is mated upon. The switch button may be multi-functional in that it may interface with the camera portion of the electronic device to zoom, switch between picture mode and video mode. In one embodiment, the present invention may use a multi-function switch bar using technology similar to a switching system used in an Apple® ear phone buds volume switch. The switch button may be used in either the deployed or retracted position.

The flexible grip segment is moved by using the finger bar112and push button lock114. With the push button lock114depressed, the finger bar and the flexible grip segment110may slide toward the first end122. In the deployed position, in one embodiment, the finger bar is located near the first end. The flexible grip segment110may be constructed of any flexible material, such as a “flexible” plastic, composites or metals. In addition, the present invention may utilize various types of hinge technology such as mechanical hinges, extruded materials, composites, or living hinge technology.

The main body is mated to an electronic device (not shown), such as a mobile phone.FIG. 4illustrates a bottom perspective view of the retractable grip attachment100for use on an existing phone case. The flexible segment110is preferably attached to the main body102at a hinge point126. The electronic device may communicate with the retractable grip attachment through either a wireless connection (not shown) or a mechanical connection140(shown inFIG. 4). In one embodiment, the mechanical connection may be a pin connector142. The pin connector142enables an interface between the mobile phone and the external control (i.e., switch button130). The mobile phone may receive a software application or “app” to provide the interface with the grip attachment. Although the grip attachment illustrates the switch button130for use as a shutter control of a camera, in other embodiments, the grip attachment may include other external control devices, such as a camera or video activation button. In addition, rather than utilizing a pin connector interface, the present invention may utilize other interface mechanisms. For example, the grip attachment may include a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver for interface with the mobile phone controls via a Bluetooth connection. In another embodiment, the grip attachment may interface with the mobile phone through an Infrared (IR) connection. In still another embodiment, the grip attachment may include a sound making module (electronic or mechanical). In this embodiment, the sound making module creates a sound which may be picked up by a microphone of the mobile phone. Upon hearing a specified sound, the mobile phone camera may take a photograph. In an electronic version of the sound making module, the sound making module may be DC powered through a pin connector arrangement or powered by a separate battery source. The mechanical interface may be any device which creates a sound (e.g., a clicker used by children). An application residing in the mobile phone may be used to match the emitted sound whereby the application reacts upon receiving a sound matching the exact frequency of the sound making module. Furthermore, it should be understood that any connector configuration may be used and still remain in the scope of the present invention, such as a mini or micro USB, Lighting connection, 30 pin, etc. In addition, the present invention may be configured for use with Apple's®audio connector for shutter control interfacing. New models of the iPhone® may be configured to release the shutter of the camera feature through this audio connector by pressing the “+volume” switch on the ear phone buds. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4, the electronic device is positioned against the inner side106. In one embodiment, the grip attachment may include a retention tab128for retaining the electronic device upon the grip attachment100. However, it should be understood that any retention device may be utilized to retain the grip attachment against the electronic device and still remain in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5is a side view of the flexible grip segment110. The flexible grip segment includes the finger bar112which slides to the deployed position shown inFIG. 5. An underside150of the flexible grip segment110includes a locking guide152which may be slid from position A in the retracted position to position B in the deployed position. The locking glide is sized and shaped to fit within a slot (not shown inFIG. 5) running lengthwise along a portion of the flexible grip segment110. The switch bar116is also illustrated with the pivot point120and pivot point134. In addition, the flexible grip segment may include a support guide154. In one embodiment, the support guide154does not include a lock and is utilized to support a tail end of the grip segment.

FIG. 6is a top view of the flexible grip segment110. The finger bar112is shown in position A for the retracted position and position B for the deployed position. In position A, the finger bar is located near second end160. When deploying the enlarged grip124, the finger bar and segment110is slide toward first end122. The push button lock114enables the finger bar to be locked in either the deployed or retracted position.

FIG. 7is a front perspective view of the switch bar116removed from the flexible grip segment110. The switch bar is preferably sized and shaped to fit within a width of the main body of the flexible grip segment110. The bar may include the switch button130(bar switch). On an inner side of the bar switch116is an inter-grip segment162communicating through the mechanical (or wireless connection)140with the electronic device. In one embodiment, the switch bar is constructed of a thin flexible conducting material.

FIG. 8is a rear perspective view of the grip attachment handle100. The inner side106of the main body102includes a plurality of borders164surrounding a mating area166for receiving an electronic device. As depicted inFIG. 8, the mating area is sized and shaped for a mobile phone not having an existing case, but the mating area may be sized and shaped for an electronic device, such as an electronic tablet, a digital camera, etc. The mechanical connection140is depicted with pin connections142and an audio prong170. The audio prong is a connector for insertion within an audio receiver on a mobile phone. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a cutout172for a lens of a camera. The cutout may be positioned where the camera lens on the electronic device is located to allow a clear view for the electronic device camera lens. Furthermore, the present invention may include sound passages174to allow sound emitted from the electronic device to pass through the grip attachment handle without any or little reduction in sound. A dove tail slot176may be located on the inner side106for the locking guide152and support guide154to slide within the slot. The slot may include a front lock detent178for use in locking the flexible grip segment110in the retracted position (position A) and rear lock detent180for locking the flexible grip segment in the deployed position (position B).

FIG. 9is a cross sectional view of locking guide152and the inner side106of the main body of the grip attachment handle100. The locking guide152is positioned within slot176. A flat spring182may be coupled with the locking guide152to bias the locking guide upward. By depressing the push button lock114, the locking guide may slide within the slot. Releasing the button lock114allows the locking guide to rest in the appropriate detent as desired by the user.

FIG. 10is a lower view of the flexible grip segment110. As depicted inFIG. 10, the locking guide152is positioned on the surface of the flexible grip segment. The flexible grip segment may include a pivot point190to allow the enlarged grip124to be easily formed when the grip segment110is slide to the deployed position.

FIG. 11is a side view of the flexible grip segment110in a retracted position. With the flexible grip segment110in the retracted position, it provides a substantially flat surface provides ease in carrying the retractable grip attachment100.

FIG. 12is a front perspective view of a semi-rigid grip segment200in a deployed position in a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the grip segment includes a plurality of flat segments202having a bend axis204between each segment202. The semi-rigid grip segment operates in a similar manner as the flexible grip segment110. Each segment folds to allow the enlarged grip124to be deployed when slid toward the first end122. Any rigid material may be utilized in this embodiment, such as a hard plastic, composite, or ceramic material. In particular, the semi-rigid segment may be constructed, of plastics, wood, composites, ceramic material, metal or any other device which is transmissive to wireless signals such as radio signals, bluetooth, WIFI, and cellular emissions, etc. Additionally, the switch button may be located on top of one of the segments202or on a pivotable switch bar116which pivots about points120and134. The present invention may utilize various types of hinge technology such as mechanical hinges, extruded materials, composites, or living hinge technology.

With reference toFIGS. 1-12, the operation of the grip attachment100will now be explained. The grip attachment may be attached directly to a portion of the chassis mobile phone or to a protective case surrounding the mobile phone. In such an embodiment, an electronic device (not shown), such as a mobile phone, may be seated within the mating area166of the main body102of the grip attachment handle. However, the grip attachment may be attached in any manner to the electronic device. When the electronic device is positioned within the mating area, the electronic device connects to the mechanical connection140(or wireless connection via a Bluetooth or other type of wireless connection). The electronic device may include pins to interface with the pin connection142or an audio receptacle to interface with the audio prong170. The electronic device may download a software application or “app” which enables the interface of the grip attachment100with the electronic device.

The grip attachment handle, when installed upon the electronic device has two positions. In the first position, position A, the grip attachment is in the retracted position where the flexible grip segment110is in a flat position without the enlarged grip124. In this position, the electronic device with the grip attachment handle100is easy to carry and may fit in a user's pocket. In the second position, position B, the grip attachment is in the deployed position, which enables the flexible grip segment110or200to form the enlarged grip124.

In the retracted position, position A, the locking guide152is positioned within the front lock detent178. The locking guide is biased to remain in the front lock detent178by the flat spring182. With the locking guide pressed within the front lock detent178, the flexible grip segment110or semi-rigid grip segment200is prevented from moving. When use of the enlarged grip124is desired, the user may press the push button lock114located on top of the finger bar112, which releases the locking guide152from the front lock detent178and enables the locking guide152and finger bar112to slide to position B with the segment110or200, the deployed position. The finger bar112is slid toward the first end122by the user's hand. When the locking guide152is positioned within the rear lock detent180, the user may release the push button lock and enable the locking guide to lock in place in the rear lock detent. In this position, the flexible grip segment110or200forms the enlarged grip124. Underneath the flexible grip segment is the pivot switch bar116which pivots to an extended position, providing both support for the enlarged grip and exposure to the switch button130.

In the deployed position, the user can now utilize the grip attachment handle100for taking photographs. The user may press the switch button130to actuate the camera shutter of the camera of the electronic device. Additionally, the switch button may include several buttons or toggles to enable further control of the camera function, such as on/off button and a focusing function. Furthermore, the switch button may be configured to allow a series of pressure taps for various functions with one button.

The user may then take photographs by utilizing the grip attachment. The grip attachment enables the user to grasp the electronic device with one hand and depress the switch button130with the same hand. By depressing the switch button, the electronic device's internal camera is activated and the camera captures an image. The switch button may be activated in either the deployed or retracted position.

The grip attachment handle may be attached directly to the electronic device or attached to a case surrounding all or a portion of the electronic device. Thus, the present invention may be used as a separate case or installed on an existing case. In addition, the present invention may be configured in any fashion which enables the enlarged handle to be retracted and deployed by the user and is not limited to the configured shown inFIGS. 1-12.

Although the present invention has been illustrated for use with mobile phones, the present invention may be used with any electronic device utilizing a camera, such as a smart digital device (e.g., mobile phone, digital storage device, pocket camera, portable touch screen device, media players such as the Apple® iPod Touch®, mini tablets, etc.). For example, a grip extension may be attachable to a small sized tablet. Thus, the present invention is not limited to mobile phones. For all the embodiments, the mobile phone or other electronic device is fully functionally while utilizing the grip attachment.

The present invention provides many advantages over existing cases. The present invention provides an easily extendable and retractable grip support to enable the user of an electronic device to easily grasp the electronic device with one hand. The present invention is particularly useful for taking photographs or video with a mobile phone. The present invention may include external controls to control various camera features of the mobile phone, such a shutter release button. Thus, the user may utilize the camera while simultaneously controlling the camera with one hand. Furthermore, the present invention enables the user to deploy or retract the enlarge grip as desired.