Protection Sheath for a Touch Screen Stylus

Provided herein are protection sheaths or stylus sheaths for a touch screen stylus. Generally, the protection sheath has top and bottom portions disposed around stylus and means for moving the stylus inside the protection sheath. A position-limiting ring and a tightening structure with a spring disposed on the top of the position-limiting ring may comprise the means by which to extend and to retract the stylus tip. The sheath may have a stop clip disposed through the top portion which works with a motion stop on the tightening structure to limit the motion of the stylus. Alternatively, the top and bottom portions may be threaded and the sheath may have a securing top and damper band to secure the stylus within the sheath.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of accessories for electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a protection sheath for a touch screen stylus.

Description of the Related Art

Currently, there are many smart electronic devices accessorized with touch screen styli to enable users to write or sketch accurately on the touch screens. Generally, such a touch screen stylus comprises a sharp tip with an elongated pencil-shaped body. Some of the styli also have an extra antenna or flash drive integrated within in it. Moreover, the smart device companies currently in the market are paying increasing attention to the aesthetical design of touch screen styli.

The sharp tip of a stylus can be fragile, if the tip impacts the floor after being dropped. An elongated body may result in the stylus easily being bent. Furthermore, the patterns or special paint on the stylus surface may need protection against scratches from daily uses. However, to date very few of the styli are designed to be sturdy and scratch proof to preserve the look and functionality for long-term use.

Therefore, there is a recognized need in the art for a protection sheath that can protect both the tip and the body of a touch screen stylus. Particularly, the prior art is deficient in this aspect. The present invention fulfills this long-standing need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a protection sheath for a touchscreen stylus. The protection sheath comprises a top portion disposed around a top section of the stylus and a bottom portion disposed around a bottom section of the stylus in a connecting relationship with said top portion and means for moving the stylus inside the protection sheath. The present invention is directed to a related protection sheath that further comprises means for storing a stylus cap thereon.

The present invention also is directed to a sheath for a stylus. The sheath comprises a top portion disposed around a top end of the stylus and a bottom portion is disposed around a bottom end of the stylus. A position-limiting ring has a bottom section having a clip that fits into a top opening of the bottom portion of the sheath, a ring-like middle section, and a top section comprising a threaded head on top of the middle section. A tightening structure comprises an exteriorly threaded top end having a clip formed thereon and a bottom end insertable into the threaded head of the position-limiting ring. A spring is disposed in the bottom portion of the sheath below the tightening structure. A stop clip is disposed through the side of the top portion of the sheath. A motion stop disposed on a side surface of the tightening structure is configured to removably receive said stop clip.

The present invention is directed further to a stylus sheath for protecting a touch screen stylus comprising a top portion disposed around a top end of a stylus. The top portion comprises a proximal end with threads disposed on an inner surface thereof and a distal end with threads disposed on an inner surface thereof. A bottom portion is disposed around a bottom end of a stylus. The bottom portion comprises a distal end with threads disposed on an outer surface thereof. The threads are engaged with the threads at the proximal end of the top portion. A securing top comprises a proximal end with threads disposed on an outer surface thereof. The threads are engaged to the threads of the distal end of the top portion. A damper band is disposed over the threads of the distal end of the top portion, configured to secure the stylus in the sheath when the securing top is screwed into the top portion and pressed against the damper band.

Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention given for the purpose of disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein “another” or “other” may mean at least a second or more of the same or different claim element or components thereof. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Comprise” means “include.”

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a numeric value, including, for example, whole numbers, fractions, and percentages, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numerical values (e.g., +/−5-10% of the recited value) that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (e.g., having the same function or result). In some instances, the term “about” may include numerical values that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to a direction toward the tip of the stylus when the stylus is disposed in the protection sheath. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to a direction away from the tip of the stylus when the stylus is disposed in the protection sheath.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided protection sheath for a touch screen stylus, comprising a top portion disposed around a top section of the stylus; a bottom portion disposed around a bottom section of the stylus in a connecting relationship with said top portion; and means for moving the stylus inside the protection sheath.

In an aspect of this embodiment, the stylus may comprise a cap disposed on a distal end thereof where the protection sheath comprises means for storing the cap thereon. In this aspect the storing means may comprise a pen clip disposed on the top portion of the sheath configured to secure the stylus cap on the top thereof.

In another aspect the moving means may comprise a position limiting ring having a bottom clip that fits into a top opening of the clip at the bottom of the sheath, a threaded head and a position-limiting button disposed on an inner surface of the threaded head; a tightening structure comprising an exteriorly threaded top end having a clip formed thereon and a bottom end having a spiral groove disposed on an outer surface thereof configured to slidably receive the position-limiting button where the bottom end is inserted into a top opening of the position-limiting ring; and a sleeve nut threadably engaging the threaded top of the tightening structure.

In this embodiment and aspects thereof, the top portion and bottom portion may each be substantially cylindrical. Also, each of the top portion and the bottom portion may be hollow and each may comprise an opening at top and bottom ends thereof. In addition, the position-limiting ring may rotably engage the stylus in an upward and downward motion, where the motion is limited by the position of the position-limiting button in the spiral groove. Furthermore the top portion of the protection sheath threadably may engage the threaded head of the position-limiting ring.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a protection sheath for a touch screen stylus, comprising a top portion disposed around a top end of the stylus; a bottom portion disposed around a bottom end of the stylus; a position limiting ring having a bottom section comprising a clip that fits into a top opening of the bottom portion of the sheath, a ring-like middle section, and a top section comprising a threaded head on top of said middle section; a tightening structure comprising an exteriorly threaded top end having a clip formed thereon and a bottom end insertable into the threaded head of the position-limiting ring; a spring disposed in the bottom portion of the sheath below the bottom end of the tightening structure; a stop clip disposed through the side of the top portion of the protection sheath; and a motion stop disposed on a side surface of the tightening structure configured to removably receive said stop clip.

In this embodiment, the spring may be configured to push the tightening structure upwards when the stop clip is lifted from the motion stop thereon.

Also, the top portion and bottom portion may each be substantially cylindrical. In addition, each of the top portion and the bottom portion may be hollow and each may comprise an opening at top and bottom ends thereof. Furthermore, the top portion of the protection sheath may be threadable around the threaded head of the position-limiting ring.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stylus sheath for protecting a touch screen stylus, comprising a top portion disposed around a top end of a stylus, comprising a proximal end with threads disposed on an inner surface thereof and a distal end with threads disposed on an inner surface thereof; a bottom portion disposed around a bottom end of a stylus, comprising a distal end with threads disposed on an outer surface thereof, said threads engaged with the threads at the proximal end of the top portion; and a securing top comprising a proximal end with threads disposed on an outer surface thereof, said threads engaged to the threads of the distal end of the top portion; and a damper band disposed over the threads of the distal end of the top portion configured to secure the stylus in the sheath when the securing top is screwed into the top portion and pressed against said damper band. Further to this embodiment, the stylus sheath may comprise a pen clip having a ring and a clip body perpendicularly connected to said ring, said ring is secured between the securing top and the top portion thereof, configured to store a stylus cap.

In both embodiments, the top portion, bottom portion and securing top are each substantially cylindrical. Also in both embodiments, exemplary materials for the damper band may include, but are not limited to, rubber, silicon, plastic or a combination thereof.

Provided herein are protection sheaths for a touch screen stylus. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention are better illustrated with reference to the Figure(s), however, such reference is not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The embodiments and variations described in detail herein are to be interpreted by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

As shown inFIG. 1A, a the tip of the stylus2extends out of the protection sheath1when it is in use. As shown inFIG. 1B, a user can conveniently retract the stylus into the sheath (FIG. 1C) by turning the position-limiting ring5of the protection sheath when it is not in use. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the protection sheath comprises a top portion4, a bottom portion3and means for moving a stylus within the protection sheath5(seeFIGS. 2A-2D). Both the top portion4and bottom portion3of the sheath are hollow and substantially cylindrical with both ends open (FIG. 1A). Generally, a pen clip13(FIG. 1B) is disposed on the top portion of the sheath.FIGS. 1C and 1Dshow that the stylus cap15is on and off the top of the stylus respectively.

FIGS. 2A-2Dillustrate the placement and assembly of the means for moving a stylus within the protection sheath. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the moving means may comprise a position-limiting ring5that fits in a top opening of the bottom portion3, a tightening structure8that fits in a top opening of the position-limiting ring5.FIG. 2Cshows a sleeve nut7that fits on the top portion (clip formed on the threaded head) of the tightening structure8. InFIG. 2D, the sleeve nut7engages the threads of the tightening structure and is turned to secure thereto.

With continued reference toFIGS. 2A-2D, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3F, the position-limiting ring5may comprise a threaded head5a,and a bottom clip5b(FIG. 3E) that fits inside of the bottom portion of the protection sheath. As shown in3B, the tightening structure8may comprise a threaded top8aand a clip8bformed thereon to releasably grip the stylus, a bottom clip8cthat fits inside the threaded head of the position-limiting ring. A stylus2is threaded through the top opening of the tightening structure8and the position-limiting ring5. The tip of the stylus2then extends through the bottom opening of the bottom portion of the protection sheath. The sleeve nut7disposed around the stylus is then threaded onto the threaded top of the tightening structure8, gripping onto the middle section of the stylus2. Furthermore, the top portion of the sheath is disposed around the stylus and thread on the threaded head of the position-limiting ring.

As shown inFIG. 3C, a spiral groove10is disposed on the side surface of the bottom clip of the tightening structure8. A position-limiting button11is disposed inside the threaded head of the position-limiting ring. When the bottom clip of the tightening structure is inserted inside the position-limiting ring5, the position-limiting button fits into the spiral groove10on the tightening structure.

FIG. 3Dshows that as the user turns the position-limiting ring5, the position-limiting button11moves inside the spiral groove10on the tightening structure. Since the clip formed on the threaded head of the tightening structure releasably grips the stylus2, the stylus moves up or down inside the protection sheath1as the position-limiting button11moves up and down in the spiral groove10.

As shown inFIGS. 3E and 3F, alternatively, the means for moving a stylus within the protection sheath may comprise a position-limiting ring5that fits in a top opening of the bottom portion3, a tightening structure8that fits in a top opening of the position-limiting ring5.FIG. 3Fshows a spring12disposed in the position-limiting ring5. The bottom clip of the tightening structure8cfits in the position-limiting ring5and pressing the spring.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow a stopping clip14is disposed on the lower end of the pen clip13through the side surface of the top portion of the protection sheath4. A motion stop is disposed on the tightening structure8such that the stopping clip13slides into the motion stop (indentation) and stops the motion of the stylus when the tip of the stylus2is out of the sheath1.

InFIG. 4C, the user then lifts the stop clip13off the indentation on the side surface of the tightening structure8. The tightening structure along with the stylus is then pushed up by the spring until the tip of the stylus retracts back into the protection sheath.

As shown inFIG. 5A, the stylus may further comprise a removable cap15disposed on the top thereof to protect a structure6such as a LIGHTNING connector, a product of Apple®, or a micro USB (FIG. 5B). As shown inFIG. 5C, the pen clip13on the sheath can be used to store the cap when it is not used. For example, the cap can be secured between the pen clip and the sheath1at the top of the pen clip13.FIGS. 6A-6DandFIGS. 7A-7Bshow an alternative configuration of the protection sheath, the protection sheath comprises a top portion with threads15disposed on the inner surface of both distal and proximal ends. A bottom portion with threads16disposed on the outer surface of the distal end. The threads of the bottom portion engage with the threads of the proximal end of the top portion. When the top portion or bottom portion is turned, the distal end of the bottom portion travels within the top portion. A securing top14is securable to the top portion of the protection sheath. The securing top comprises threads17disposed on the outer surface of the proximal end thereof, which are engaged with the threads disposed at the distal end of the top portion. A damper band18is disposed at the lower end of the threads disposed at the distal end of the top portion. When the threads of the securing top engage with the threads of the top portion, the damper band is pressured to deform, securing the stylus with in the sheath. When the securing top is twisted off the top portion, the damper recover to the original shape, which has a radius substantially the same as the stylus, and release the stylus.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare side and cross-sectional views, respectively, showing the protection sheath of this configuration with the stylus tip out of the sheath.FIG. 6Cand are side and cross-sectional views, respectively, showing the protection sheath of this configuration with the stylus tip retracted inside the sheath.

FIG. 7Ais a cross sectional view of the securing top and the top portion of the stylus sheath of this configuration. The proximal end of the securing top is not fully turned inside of the top portion thereof. InFIG. 7B, the cross-sectional view shows that the proximal end of the securing top is fully inside of the top portion, thus pressing the damper band18to deform and grip the stylus2.