PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE RING-HOLDER

Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for a multifunction device holding accessory to improve the convenience of use of portable electronic devices. In embodiments, two half-rings may be configured to be positioned in a first position and in a second position. In the first position, the two half-rings may be configured to form a ring that is congruent with a body of the multifunction device holding accessory. In the second position, the two half-rings may be configured to project away from the body of the multifunction device holding accessory to form a ring-hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein disclose a holder being configured to couple with a portable electronic device and interface with one or more fingers of a user's hand. If the holder is interfaced with the user's finger, then the user may interact with inputs of the portable electronic device (e.g. with the user's thumb), while the electronic device is secured to the holder.

FIG. 1depicts an embodiment of a portable electronic device holder100. Portable electronic device holder100be substantially ring-shaped, and may be configured to be worn around a user's finger.

Body12may include a curved outer edge with a channel14being disposed along the circumference of body12. Channel14may be positioned adjacent to or substantially adjacent to the curved outer edge of body12. Channel14may be a groove, depression, etc. that is concave in shape, and may be configured to receive first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B. If first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in a first position being disposed within channel14, then corresponding ends of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may be positioned adjacent to each other to form a ring within channel14.

First half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may be curved and substantially tubular in shape. In embodiments, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the first position, then first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may be configured to be disposed within channel14. First half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may also be dynamic elements that are configured to rotate in opposite directions to project away from body12to from a ring-hook in a second position. If first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are disposed in the second position, a first end of first half-ring10A may be positioned on a first side of channel14and a first end of second half-ring10B may be positioned on a second side of channel14, and a second end of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may be coupled together in a position vertically aligned with the center of body12.

Hinged edges20A and20B may be positioned on first ends of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B, respectfully. Hinged edges20A and20B may be configured to allow first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B to rotate around pivots24A and24B. In embodiments, pivots24A and24B may be projections coupling hinged edges20A and20B, respectively, and body12.

Swing limiters26A and26B may be cut-outs or indentations within hinged edges20A and20B, to limit the amount of rotation of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B, respectively. Swing limiters26A and26B may be configured to limit the rotation of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B such that as first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B rotate around pivots24A and24B, first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may move from the first position to the second position without rotating past the second position.

Magnetic edges22A and22B may be positioned on second ends of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B, respectfully. Magnetic edges22A and22B may have magnets28A with opposite polarities that may be configured to couple with each other to secure first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B together. In embodiments, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the second position, then magnetic edge22A and magnetic edge22B may be positioned adjacent to each other, such that first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may be coupled by magnets28A. In other embodiments, one edge may include a magnet and the other may include ferromagnetic material. In further embodiments, the two half-rings may be coupled, at their ends or elsewhere, by any fastener, such as a clip, hook-and-loop, or other mechanical fastener.

Pads16A and16B may be projections positioned on first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B, respectfully, that are configured to receive force to rotate first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B. Pads16A and16B may be positioned in close proximity to second ends of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B. Projections16A and16B may be configured to receive pressure to rotate first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B to move first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B from the first position to the second position, and/or from the second position to the first position. As half-rings10A,10B may be rounded and metallic, and therefore low-friction, pads16A,16B provide a highly frictious point of contact for ease of engagement with a user's fingers, and of rotation.

Push button18may be a button disposed on a first surface of holder100. Push button18may be disposed within an inner circumference formed by first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B when first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the first position. Push button18may be configured to operate a vacuum device (not shown) positioned on a second, opposite surface of holder100. The vacuum device may be configured such that when the vacuum device is pressed against a surface with the push button18in the depressed position, the push button18is forced up, generating a strong negative pressure between the surface and the holder100. The negative pressure of air may create a vacuum or a partial vacuum to couple with or adhere to the surface or backing of a portable electronic device. One skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments the vacuum device may be any device configured to secure a portable electronic device to the second surface of body12, such as a regular suction cup, adhesive, clip, or the like. In embodiments, the vacuum device may be configured to removably couple the portable electronic device to body12, such that the portable electronic device may be secured to body12in a first instance, and then selectively removed from body12in a second instance.

FIG. 2depicts a top view of portable electronic device holder100, according to one embodiment.

As depicted inFIG. 2, first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are disposed in the first position, and at least a portion of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are disposed within channel14. By first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B being dynamic and movable elements, when first half-ring10A and second half-ring are disposed in the first position portable electronic device holder100may be configured to be a compact device to conserve space. This may greatly ease insertion of an attached device into and removal of an attached device from a pocket or other confined space. The curved upper surface of the half-rings and curved top of push button18also aid in this, as does the use of low-friction materials such as metal and smooth plastics. The use of recesses in particular reduces height of the holder when not in use (such as when stored in a pocket) while permitting a reasonable body-height, making possible the use of an effective push-button vacuum fastener. However in alternative embodiments there may be no recesses, and optionally the half-rings may be positioned between first and second surfaces of the body, around its periphery, to achieve similar height-reduction.

Further, while first ring10A and second ring10B are in the first position, magnetic edges22A and22B on the seconds ends of first ring10A and second ring10B may be configured to couple with magnets disposed on the first ends of second ring10B and first ring10A, respectively. While the magnetic edges22A and22B are coupled with magnets (or other ferromagnetic material) disposed on the first ends of second ring10B and first ring10A, first ring10A and second ring10B may be secured in the first position forming a full ring.

As further depicted inFIG. 2, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are disposed in the first position, then pads16A and16B may project away from first half-ring10A, second half-ring10B and channel14such that a user may more easily and effectively rotate first half-ring10A and/or second half-ring10B.

FIG. 3depicts a side view of portable electronic device holder100with first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B being in the first position. If first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the first position, then portable electronic device holder100may be a compact, unified device.

Furthermore,FIG. 3shows vacuum device30positioned on a first surface of portable electronic device holder100. In embodiments, vacuum device30may be a gasket or any other type of mechanical seal that fills that space between two or more mating surface, wherein a first mating surface corresponds to portable electronic device holder100and a second mating surface corresponds to the electronic device. Vacuum device30may mechanically force depressed pushbutton18upwards when pressed against a surface to create a powerful seal.

FIG. 4depicts a perspective view of portable electronic device holder100with first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B being in the second position, according to one embodiment.

As depicted inFIG. 4, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the second position, first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may form a unified ring-hook extending from a first side of body12to a second side of body12. In embodiments, the unified ring-hook may be comprised of the first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B rotated upward to vertically project away from body12.

FIG. 5depicts a side view of portable electronic device holder100with first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B being in the second position, according to one embodiment.

As depicted inFIG. 5, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the second position, the second ends of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may interface with each other in a position that is vertically alighted with the center of body12. Furthermore, when first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the second position, hinged edges20A and20B may be rotated around pivots24A and24B to project first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B away from body12.

FIG. 6depicts an embodiment of a side view of portable electronic device holder100with first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B disposed in a position between the first position and the second position. As first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are being rotated from the first position to the second position, the first half-ring10A and the second half-ring may10B be in a position perpendicular to each other, where the height of the second ends of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B is less than when the first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in second position and greater than when first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the first position.

FIG. 7depicts a side view of portable electronic device holder100with first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B being in the second position, according to one embodiment. As depicted inFIG. 7, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the second position, first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B together may form a helical shape extending from the first side of body12to the second side of body12.

FIG. 8depicts a top view of portable electronic device holder100with first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B being in the second position, according to one embodiment.

As depicted inFIG. 8, if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the second position, first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may have a side profile that forms a ring, where a user's finger may be inserted.

FIG. 9depicts an exploded view of body12of electronic device holder100, according to one embodiment. As depicted inFIG. 9, body12may include indentations900that are configured to receive pivots24A and24B. Responsive to pivots24A and24B being disposed within indentations900and within hinged edges20A and20B, respectively, first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may rotate about pivots24A and24B.

As depicted inFIG. 9, first ends910of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may be covered by magnetic caps920and second ends925of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B may include magnetic caps28A and28B, respectively. If first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are disposed in the first position, then first ends910may be configured to magnetically couple with magnetic caps28A and28B to secure first half-ring10A and second half-ring in the first position.

Pads16A and16B may be configured to be inserted into slots935in close proximity to second ends920of first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B. Outer surface of body12may include indentations930configured to receive pads16A and16B if first half-ring10A and second half-ring10B are in the first position. In embodiments, pads16A and16B may be placed within indentations930such that a user may easily access pad16A or16B to rotate first half-ring10A or second half-ring10B, respectively, into the second position.

FIG. 10depicts first half-ring10A according to one embodiment without pad16A, magnetic cap28, or magnetic cap920. As depicted inFIG. 10, half-ring10A may include swing limiter926. Swing limiter926may be a cut out or removed portion of first half-ring10A. The vertical post portion of pivot24A may sit within this cut-out. Swing limiter926may be sized such that half-ring10A is configured to rotate upwards to a limit where first half-ring10A is in the second position, but not beyond the limit. Any attempt to rotate the half-ring beyond this point will cause pivot24A to contact the edge of the cut-out forming swing limiter926and prevent further movement. As such, swing limiter926may be configured to allow first half-ring10A to rotate from the first position to the second position, but not further than the second position.

Although half-rings have been used as an exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Any body shape may be used and the rotating elements may accordingly match the periphery of the body and therefore not be half-rings. For example, a square body could have half-square elements, a diamond-shaped body half-diamonds, etc. Further, in some embodiments the rotating elements may not lay along the periphery of the body when in their first position. In embodiments, the rotating elements need not be tubular, or any particular shape or cross-section.