Abstract:
A system for securely attaching a portable device to the clothing of a user is provided. The system utilizes an adjustable separator located between the first end of a portable device mounting clip and the device housing. By controlling the amount that the first end of the clip can be depressed, the separator also controls the size of the gap between the second end of the clip and the device housing. If the user wants to lock the clip in place, the separator is adjusted to prevent any movement in the first end of the clip.

Description:
The present invention relates generally to portable device mounting systems and, more particularly, to a system for securely attaching a portable device to a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many portable devices are designed to be carried about by the user during normal use. Examples of such devices include pagers, telephones, radios, tape players, and CD players. In order to provide the user with hands-free operation of the device, frequently such devices include some form of mounting system which allows the user to clip the device onto an article of clothing (e.g., belt, pocket, etc.) or other personal accessory (e.g., briefcase, purse strap, etc.). Unfortunately such devices are often lost since the mounting systems typically rely on spring clips which may release upon sufficient force, such as that which accompanies many forms of exercise. Various mounting systems have been proposed to eliminate such accidental loss. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,349 discloses the use of an adjustable auxiliary spring which is to be used in combination with the original spring which is associated with a pager clip member. The force of the auxiliary spring supplements that of the original spring, thus ensuring that sufficient spring tension is maintained even as the original spring weakens due to age. U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,349 also discloses the use of a detector circuit which emits a perceptible signal when the clip member is pivoted away from the device housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,931 discloses the use of an L-shaped clip member with a portable device. The hinge, which attaches the clip to the device housing, is fitted at a distance from one leg of the L-shaped member with the hinge axis running essentially parallel to this axis. The position and shape of the clip member allows a user to clip the device onto a clothing article in a variety of orientations. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,798 discloses a soft carrying case for use with portable hand-held devices. The disclosed carrying case includes a flexible belt flap which can be used to mount the case to the belt of a user. The top of the belt flap is permanently attached to the carrying case while the lower end of the flap is releasably attached using snap fittings. 
     From the foregoing, it is apparent that a secure mounting system for portable devices is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a system for securely attaching a portable device to the clothing of the user. This mounting system prevents the accidental removal of the portable device. 
     Pagers and other portable devices typically provide a spring clip which can be used to attach the device to the clothing or some other personal article of the user. The clip permits hands-free carrying of the device, thus allowing the user greater freedom of movement. The typical spring clip is attached to the housing of the portable device at a hinge point. The user presses a first end of the clip towards the body of the device which creates a gap between the second end of the clip and the device. After the user places an article of clothing, such as a belt, between the clip and the device, the user removes pressure from the first end of the clip. A spring forces the first end of the clip away from the device housing, thus forcing the second end of the clip towards the device housing, thereby entrapping the article of clothing. The present invention provides a locking mechanism which prevents the accidental removal of the device by locking the clip into place. 
     The invention utilizes an adjustable separator located between the first end of the clip and the device housing. By controlling the amount that the first end of the clip can be depressed, the separator also controls the size of the gap between the second end of the clip and the device housing. If the user wants to lock the clip in place, the separator is adjusted to prevent any movement in the first end of the clip. 
     In one embodiment of the invention the separator is comprised of a pin threaded into a clip mounting bracket. The clip mounting bracket is either permanently or releasably attached to the device housing. The separator is adjusted by either screwing the pin further into the bracket, or screwing the pin further out of the bracket. To lock the clip in place, the pin is screwed out of the bracket until the end of the pin presses against the undersurface of the first end of the clip. To simplify manipulation of the pin by the user, a thumbwheel is attached to the pin. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the separator is comprised of a thumbwheel which is threaded onto a pin fixably attached to a clip mounting bracket. Rotating the thumbwheel results in it moving closer to, or further away from, the mounting bracket. The proximity of the thumbwheel to the first end of the clip controls the achievable gap between the second end of the clip and the device housing. 
     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of a pager mounting clip according to the prior art; 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portable device mounting clip according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration of a locking mechanism in a fully locked position; 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 in a partially withdrawn position; 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 in a completely withdrawn position; 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of another embodiment of the locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternate configuration of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is an illustration of another embodiment of the locking mechanism according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention which does not require the use of a clip spring; 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9 with the clip member in an open position; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a mounting bracket applicable to a variety of portable devices; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate mounting bracket applicable to a variety of portable devices; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate mounting bracket applicable to a variety of portable devices. 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a device housing suitable for a releasable mounting bracket; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the device housing illustrated in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a releasable mounting bracket suitable for use with the device housing illustrated in FIG. 14; and 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the releasable mounting bracket illustrated in FIG. 16. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of a pager mounting clip according to the prior art. A pager 101 is held to an article of clothing 103, such as a belt, with a clip 105. Clip 105 has a L-shape, thus allowing sufficient space for clothing article 103 to fit between the body of pager 101 and an inside surface 107 of clip 105. An inwardly turned portion 109 of clip 105 helps to prevent the unintentional removal of the pager. Unintentional removal may result due to jolting motions, such as those which occur during jogging and other forms of exercise, as well as pressure exerted on a bottom surface 111 of pager 101. 
     Clip 105 is connected to a mounting bracket 113, pivoting about a hinge axis 115. Mounting bracket 113 and the housing of pager 101 may be formed from a single piece of material or bracket 113 may be separately formed and subsequently attached to pager 101. If bracket 113 is separate from the pager body, it may be attached using adhesives, bolts, or any of a variety of known techniques. 
     Located between clip 105 and pager 101 is a spring 117. Spring 117 may be a simple U-shaped piece of spring metal, as shown, or it may be a coil spring. Spring 117 applies a separating force between clip 105 and pager 101 at area 119, resulting in inwardly turned portion 109 of clip 105 being forced toward pager 101. This force, in turn, captures clothing article 103 in the open area between clip 105 and pager 101. 
     In operation, a user applies a force at a site 121, thereby compressing spring 117. As spring 117 is compressed, end portion 109 of clip 105 is separated from pager 101. The more force which the user applies to site 121, the greater the separation distance. Once a sufficient separation is formed, the user slips the pager device onto the selected article of clothing 103 and releases the pressure from site 121. The release of pressure captures clothing article 103 between clip 105 and pager 101, thus securing pager 101 to article of clothing 103. Removal of pager 101 is either through reapplication of force to site 121, or through an accidental application of force as previously described. Accidental removal of pager 101 becomes easier with age due to the gradual deterioration of spring 117. 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a mounting clip 201 according to the invention. Clip 201 is suitable for holding a pager or other portable device to an article of clothing. Clip 201 is coupled to a mounting bracket 203 at a hinge axis 205. Mounting bracket 203 and the housing of the portable device (not shown) may be constructed of a single piece of material or mounting bracket 203 may be separately formed and subsequently attached to the device housing. A spring 207, interposed between clip 201 and mounting bracket 203, forces a tip portion 209 of clip 201 in a direction 211. Thus tip portion 209 is forced by spring 207 towards the body of the pager or other portable device (not shown). Spring 207 is preferably a piece of spring metal which, when compressed, is placed in a U-shaped form. 
     To open clip 201, thus allowing the portable device to be placed over an article of clothing, the user presses in a direction 213 on a portion 215 of clip 201. This pressure causes further compression of spring 207, thereby moving tip portion 209 in a direction 217. Portion 215 may have a slight depression contoured to fit a user&#39;s thumb. The surface of portion 215 may also be roughened to provide the user with a slip resistant surface. 
     Interposed between clip 201 and mounting bracket 203 is a locking mechanism 219 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate locking mechanism 219 in further detail. FIG. 3 is an illustration of locking mechanism 219 in the fully locked position. In this position a small protuberance 301 rests against a lower surface 303 of clip 201, preventing clip 201 from being depressed. Furthermore, since protuberance 301 prevents the downward motion of this portion of clip 201, portion 209 cannot be moved in a direction 217 without bending or breaking clip 201, thus preventing accidental removal of the portable device. 
     Locking mechanism 219 is comprised of protuberance 301, a thumbwheel 305, and a threaded stud 307. Threaded stud 307 is threadably engaged with a threaded hole 309. Therefore as thumbwheel 305 is rotated, stud 307 either moves in a direction 311 or a direction 313, depending upon the direction of rotation. Preferably a portion of thumbwheel 305 extends beyond a surface 315 of clip 201 and beyond a surface 317 of mounting bracket 203 thus providing easy access to a user. An edge 319 of thumbwheel 305 may be roughened or serrated to provide a slip resistant surface. 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration of locking mechanism 219 partially withdrawn. In this figure stud 307 has been further screwed into hole 309, thus providing a slight separation 401 between protuberance 301 and surface 303. In this location locking mechanism 219 no longer prevents the movement of clip 201. FIG. 5 is an illustration of locking mechanism 219 completely withdrawn from the locking position shown in FIG. 3. In this configuration clip 201 can be completely opened. 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of locking mechanism 219. In this embodiment stud 307 is threadably engaged in a hole 601 of clip 201. In the locked position, protuberance 301 rests against a surface 603 of mounting bracket 203. This embodiment functions in an identical fashion to that illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. The angle of stud 307 with respect to clip 201 and bracket 203 is not critical. For example, FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 6. However, in FIG. 7 locking mechanism 219 moves in and out of clip 201 at an angle perpendicular to a surface 701 of device 703. In this embodiment clip 701 is mounted directly to device housing 703 via a pair of clip hinge plates 705 integral to housing 703. 
     FIG. 8 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a locking mechanism according to the present invention. As in the previous embodiments, mounting bracket 203 is fixed to a pager or other portable device 801, either by forming bracket 203 and device housing 801 from a single piece of material or by attaching a separate bracket 203 to housing 801. This embodiment also has clip 201 and spring 207. 
     Fixably attached to bracket 203 is a threaded stud 803. Stud 803 is attached to bracket 203 using adhesives, welding techniques, or any of a variety of well known methods. Thumbwheel 805 is threadably engaged to stud 803. Extending from an upper surface of thumbwheel 805 is a protuberance 807. The main purpose of protuberance 807 is to provide a raised surface to press against surface 809 of clip 201 when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, thus insuring smooth operation of the locking mechanism. The location and dimensions of protuberance 807 are not critical. 
     Rotation of thumbwheel 805 results in either the narrowing or the widening of gap 811, depending upon the direction of rotation. The size of gap 811 governs the degree to which portion 209 of clip 201 can be separated from device housing 801. When protuberance 807 is in contact with surface 809, clip 201 is in the locked position. If desired, stud 807 can be fixed to clip 201, thus causing protuberance 807 to be in contact with mounting bracket 203 when clip 201 is in the locked position. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of the invention which does not require the use of a clip spring. In this embodiment thumbwheel 901 controls the separation distance between portion 209 of clip 201 and device housing 801. A threaded stud 903 is attached to clip 201 with a pin 905. Similarly, a threaded stud 907 is attached to mounting bracket 203 with a pin 209. Pins 905 and 909 allow sufficient movement of studs 903 and 907, respectively, to prevent binding as thumbwheel 901 is rotated. Studs 903 and 907 have opposing threads, i.e., one stud has left hand threads and the other stud has right hand threads. Extending through thumbwheel 901 is a threaded hole 911. A portion 913 of hole 911 is threaded to match the threading of stud 903 and a second portion 915 is threaded to match the threading of stud 907. 
     In operation, a user rotates thumbwheel 901 in a direction which forces the ends of studs 903 and 907 towards the center of hole 911, thus causing portion 209 of clip 201 to separate from housing 801 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Thumbwheel 901 can be rotated in this direction until the ends of studs 903 and 907 meet. At this point an article of clothing 917 (e.g., a belt) can be placed between clip 201 and device housing 801. The user then rotates thumbwheel 901 in the opposite direction, forcing the ends of studs 903 and 907 away from the center of hole 911. This action causes clip 201 to clamp down on article 917, locking article 917 in place. 
     FIGS. 11-13 illustrate several different mounting brackets 203, showing the applicability of the present invention to a variety of portable devices. These figures are intended only to show some of the possible mounting configurations, not to indicate any limitations inherent in the invention. 
     In FIG. 11 a pair of hinge members 1103 are formed as part of a device housing structure 1105. In FIG. 12 a bracket 1203 is separately formed from device housing 1205. Similarly, bracket 1303 illustrated in FIG. 13 is separately formed from device housing 1305. The principal difference between these two configurations is in the size of the respective brackets 1203 and 1303. Bracket 1303, due to its size, can be used to add strength to housing 1305. Brackets 1203 and 1303 can be attached using a variety of techniques including bonding, welding, screw attachments, or any other well known method of attachment. 
     FIGS. 14-17 illustrate a releasable technique of attaching a bracket 1401 to a device housing 1403. FIG. 14 is a top view of a surface 1405 of device housing 1403. Formed on surface 1403 is a structure 1407. As illustrated in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 15, structure 1407 has an L-shaped form along three sides and is open on the fourth side. FIGS. 16-17 illustrate bracket 1401 and a structure 1209 which is complementary to structure 1407. FIG. 17 is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of bracket 1401. Structure 1409 is designed to slide into structure 1407 in the direction given by 1411. 
     Surface 1405 contains one or more indentations 1413. Bracket 1201 contains one or more protuberances 1415 which align with indentations 1413 when bracket 1401 is properly aligned, thus locking bracket 1201 to housing 1403. Preferably protuberance 1415 can be temporarily lifted out of indentation 1413 to allow the user to decouple bracket 1401 from housing 1403. 
     In another embodiment of the locking mechanism a pivotable brace is attached to a first end of a clip member, the pivotable brace having a locked position and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position the brace remains out of the way, thus allowing the first end of the clip member to be depressed and the second end of the clip member to be separated from the portable device housing. After the user has placed an article of clothing between the clip member and the device housing, the brace is pivoted into the locked position. In this position the end of the brace is pressed into a notch in the device housing, thereby preventing the depression of the first end of the clip member. 
     In another embodiment a stopper is placed between the first end of the clip member and the device housing when the user wishes to lock the clip member into the closed position. The stopper may be made of a compressible material, such as rubber, and may include an adjustable internal plunger member which can be used to vary the outer diameter of the stopper. The clip member and the device housing may be configured to conform to the outer diameter of the stopper, thus insuring a tight fit. The stopper is preferably connected with a cable to the clip member and/or the device housing to prevent loss. 
     As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, the clip mounting bracket can be made of a variety of different materials and utilize numerous different configurations, thus allowing the present invention to be practiced with many different types of portable devices. Accordingly, disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.