Abstract:
The present invention provides a carrier for a handportable radiotelephone comprising handstrap means connectable to first and second ends of a radiotelephone and hanging means by which the carrier is releasably hangable, in a handsfree manner, from the user&#39;s accoutrements. Thereby, the present invention provides a suitable radiotelephone with dual mode support options. A first hand-carry mode, where the handstrap means provides auxiliary support to the telephone when the user holds the telephone in his hand in the normal way during a call. And, a second handsfree mode, where the hanging means is attached to the user&#39;s accoutrements when the phone is in an on-hook condition, for example. The user&#39;s accoutrements may include the user&#39;s belt, belt loop, bag or the like.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/292,963 filed Apr. 16, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,686. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a carrier for a radiotelephone. 
     Over recent years, the size of a cellular telephones has decreased to the point where they may be said to be‘hand-held’ or‘palm-held’. 
     It is known to provide these cellular telephones with a cord for carrying the telephone. The cord is threaded through holes in the housing of the telephone and then its ends joined to form an endless loop. The user is able to conveniently carry the telephone by the cord when it is not in use. Also, when using the telephone, the user may pass his hand through the loop of the cord such that it encircles his wrist. Should the telephone then slip or be knocked from the user&#39;s hand, the cord provides an auxiliary means of support and prevents drop damage to the telephone. Japanese patent specification JP 9-298370 shows an example of this approach. 
     The present invention is concerned with enabling the user to conveniently carry a radiotelephone in different ways according to the situation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a carrier for a handportable radiotelephone comprising handstrap means connectable to first and second ends of a radiotelephone and hanging means by which the carrier is releasably hangable, in a handsfree manner, from the user&#39;s accoutrements. 
     The carrier of the present invention can provide a suitable radiotelephone with dual mode support. A first hand-carry mode, where the handstrap means provides auxiliary support to the telephone when the user holds the telephone in his hand in the normal way during a call. And, a second handsfree mode, where the hanging means is attached to the user&#39;s accoutrements when the phone is in an on-hook condition, for example. The user&#39;s accoutrements may include the user&#39;s belt, belt loop, bag or the like. 
     Preferably, the hanging means includes a hanging assembly, which can be removed from the carrier. The hanging assembly may comprise a connector comprising a first portion connected to the handstrap means and a second portion connected to an accoutrement-connection means. Preferably, the hanging means, or just the second portion of the connector and the accoutrement-connection means can be removed, whereby the carrier is reduced to a single mode configuration—with hand-carry capability only. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the present invention may provide a radiotelephone comprising a housing having first and second carrier attachment means disposed at first and second ends of the housing and a carrier, the carrier comprising handstrap means connected to the first and second carrier attachment means and hanging means by which the radiotelephone is releasably hangable, in a handsfree manner, from t he user&#39;s accoutrements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention are hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cellular telephone suitable for use with a carrier of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded or disassembled view of a carrier in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS.  3 (i-v) show the carrier of FIG. 2 attached to a radiotelephone in various configurations; 
     FIG. 4 shows the radiotelephone of FIG. 1 with some parts removed and some internal parts revealed; 
     FIG. 5 shows the encircled portion A of FIG. 4 in enlarged form; 
     FIG. 6 shows the encircled portion B of FIG. 4 in enlarged form; 
     FIG. 7 shows a view indicated by arrow D in FIG. 6; and 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternative accoutrement-connection means. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a cellular telephone which is generally designated  10 . The internal components of the telephone  10  are located within housing  12  having a top end  12   a , a bottom end  12   b  and sides  12   c ,  12   d . In the top end  12   a , a groove  13   a  is formed. In the bottom end  12   b , a groove  13   b  (FIG.  3 iv) is formed. Externally, the telephone  10  is provided with a keypad  14  and a display  16  as is conventional. Also, the telephone  10  is provided with grips  18  on the sides. The grips  18  are made from a non-slip, soft elastomer and are ribbed. The grips  18  are bonded to the housing  12  and provide some measure of side-impact protection. The telephone  10  is also provided with metal mesh speaker and microphone covers  20 ,  22  respectively. In contrast with conventional cellular telephones  10 , which use unobstrusive and relatively small holes to convey sound to and from the audio transducers (microphone  19 , speaker  21  in FIG.  4 ), the mesh covers enable a relatively large opening to the exterior of the telephone to be used without making it more likely that foreign bodies will find their way inside the telephone and without any associated style penalty. Because relatively large openings to the audio transducers are possible, the position of the user to the telephone  10  when making a call is not so critical—this particularly apparent with respect to the user&#39;s ear to speaker connection which benefits greatly from the greater speaker output catchment area. 
     The telephone  10  also comprises first and second attachment loops  30 ,  40  mounted to the housing  12  in the region of the top end  12   a  and in the region of the bottom end  12   b , respectively. Each attachment loop comprises a bar  32  from each end of which an arm  36 , 38  extends generally orthogonally therefrom to define a generally ‘C’ shape loop. The attachment loops  30 , 40  are mounted to the housing  12  by hinge mechanisms. 
     Referring first to the second attachment loop  40 , this loop is attached to the housing  12  by a pair of hinge units  50   a ,  50   b  fixedly mounted within the housing, each hinge unit  50   a ,  50   b  being coupled to an arm of the second attachment loop  40 . FIG. 6 shows the hinge unit  50   a  enclosed by circle B and its connection to arm  36  in close-up detail. (The situation at the other hinge unit  50   b  is identical.) The end of the arm  36  is provided with an inwardly directed cup portion  37  which projects through an opening  42  in the housing  12 . The cup portion  37  includes a recess  37   a . The hinge unit  50   a  is fixedly mounted adjacent the opening  42  and includes a shaft  52  which mates with the recess  37   a . Referring back to FIG. 4, the hinge units  50   a ,  50   b  together permit the second attachment loop to be rotated about a fixed axis labelled FA. 
     Referring now to the first attachment loop  30 , this loop is attached to the housing  12  by a pair of hinge units  50   c ,  50   d , each hinge unit  50   c ,  50   d  being coupled to an arm of the first attachment loop  40 . FIG. 5 shows the hinge unit  50   c  enclosed by circle A and its connection to arm  36  in close-up detail. (The situation at the other hinge unit  50   d  is identical.) The end of the arm  36  is provided with an inwardly directed cup portion  37  which projects through an opening  44  in the housing  12 . The cup portion  37  includes a recess  37   a . The hinge unit  50   c  includes a shaft  52  which mates with the recess  37   a . However, instead of being fixedly mounted within the housing  12 , as are the hinge units  50   a ,  50   b , the hinge unit  50   c  is mounted within a hinge carrier  46 . The hinge carrier  46  sits in the opening  44  and permits the hinge unit  50   c  to slide back and forth within the carrier  46 , as indicated by the double-headed arrow S. There is a tight fit between the hinge carrier  46  and the hinge unit  50   c , such that the hinge unit  50   c  can be moved to any one of a number positions within the hinge carrier  46  by the user and will remain in that position in the absence of a force applied by the user. This is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, where the two extreme positions which the hinge unit  50   c  (and hinge unit  50   d ) can adopt are illustrated simultaneously. In continuous lines, the hinge unit  50   c  is shown occupying its lowermost position within the hinge carrier  46 , whereby the bar  32  (in continuous lines) rests in a retracted, idle position within the groove  13   a . In dotted lines, the hinge unit  50   c  is showing in its uppermost position within the hinge carrier  46 , whereby the bar  32  (in dotted lines) stands proud from the top end  12   a  of the housing in an operational position. Since the hinge units  50   c ,  50   d  may be slid in this way, they together define a hinge mechanism having a movable hinge axis. The two extreme possible hinge axes, corresponding to the two illustrated positions of the hinge units  50   c ,  50   d , are labeled MA 1  and MA 2  in FIG.  4 . 
     Each hinge unit  50   a-d  is identical and is internally constructed such that, at predetermined angular orientations, its shaft  42  occupies a favoured, rest position. Between these rest positions, the rotation of the shaft  42  is freewheeling. This is illustrated in FIG.  7 . The second attachment loop  40  is shown in three rest positions. Position P 1 , in continuous lines, and positions P 2  and P 3  in dotted lines. During rotation of the second attachment loop as indicated by the arrow R, if external forces applied by the user are removed when the attachment loop  40  is in any of positions P 1 , P 2  or P 3 , it tends to remain at that position. On the other hand, if the attachment loop  40  is between rest positions P 1 , P 2  or P 3 , it is free to converge under the weight of the attachment loop to one of the rest positions, where it remains. Although not shown, the second attachment loop has a rest position in which it sits in the groove  13   b  on the bottom side  12   b  of the housing  12  assuming an idle position. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the bar  32  of each attachment loop  30 ,  40  is identical in construction. The length of the bar can be extended from its length in FIG. 4 to a greater length permitting the withdrawal of the shafts  52  from their respective cup portions  37  and hence removal of the attachment loops  30 ,  40 . In more detail, the bar  32  comprises an outer tube  33  within which end portions  34  of the arms  36 ,  38  are slidably mounted. The end portions  34  include a short slot  34   a  within which a pin  33   a  formed on the outer tube  33  may travel. A spring  35  connecting the end portions  34  of the arms  36 ,  38  stiffly biases the attachment means into this position. By applying a relatively large outward pulling force to, say, the arm  38  of the second attachment means  40 , the end portion  34  of the arm  38  can be drawn out telescopically from the tube  33 , to an extent permitted by the engagement of the slot  34   a  and the pin  33   a , thereby effectively increasing the length of the bar  32  withdrawing the shaft clear of the cup portion  37  enabling the attachment loop to be removed. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a carrier  100  for a cellular radiotelephone is shown. The carrier  100  comprises a handstrap portion  105  comprising a strip of elastic material or webbing having a first end  107  and an opposite second end  109 , and inner and outer faces  111  and  113 , respectively. In FIG. 2, the inner face  111  is mainly visible. A further strap portion  115  projects dependently from the outer face  133  of the handstrap portion  105  from a region centrally located between the first and second ends  107 , 109 . The strap portion  115  is inelastic and narrower in width than the handstrap  105 . It is secured in position by being sandwiched between the handstrap portion  105  and a leather pad  121  which is stitched to the outer face thereof. Stitches pass through the strap portion  105  too. The leather pad can bear a logo or name, for example, that of the telephone manufacturer or service provider. No logo or name is shown in FIG.  2 . The inner and outer faces of the strap portion  115  are labelled  117  and  119 , respectively. A first two-part velcro fastener comprises a first velcro fastener  123   a  on the outer face  111  of the handstrap portion  105  and a mating second velcro fastener  123   b  (shown in dotted outline in FIG. 2) on the inner face  117  of the strap portion  105 . A second two-part Velcro fastener comprises a first Velcro fastener  125   a  and a mating second Velcro fastener  125   b  positioned spaced apart from one another at the second end  109  of the handstrap portion  105 . At the first end  107  of the handstrap portion  105 , a protective tab  127  is provided on the outer face thereof. The Velcro fasteners  123 , 125  and the tab  127  are secured by stitching. 
     The carrier  100  also comprises a hanging assembly  130 . The hanging assembly comprises a two part plastic connector  132  and a belt-loop connector  148 . The connector  132  comprises a base portion  134  and a disconnectable portion  144 . The base portion  134  includes a male portion  136  for push-fit insertion into the disconnectable portion  144 . The male portion includes a pair of wings  138   a ,  138   b  which can be squeezed to towards one another to enable the two portions  134 , 144  of the connector to be separated. The base portion also includes a means by which the connector can be coupled to the strap portion  115 . The means includes a shaft  140  which is loosely mounted to the framework of the base portion  134 . By threading the strap portion  105  about the shaft  140  in the way illustrated by dotted arrowed line S the base portion  134  can be threadingly mounted to the strap portion  105 . The disconnectable portion  144  also includes a shaft (not visible in FIG. 2) about which a belt connector  148  is attached. In more detail, the belt connector  148  comprises a strip of inelastic material similar to the strap portion  105  having inner and outer faces  150 ,  152  respectively. The belt connector is folded around the shaft of the disconnectable portion of the connector  132  and secured in place by stitching. The free ends of the strip material are folded back on themselves and provided with a pair of conventional pop fasteners, one male fastener  156   a  and one female fastener  156   b.    
     The drawings of FIG. 3 show the carrier  100  attached to the radiotelephone in various configurations. Because, in each configuration, the connection of the carrier  100  to the attachment loop  40  is the same, this is shown only once in FIG.  3 (iv). Referring to FIG.  3 (iv), the carrier is attached via the second end  109  of the handstrap portion  105  to the attachment loop  40  by simply threading it through the attachment loop and looping it back around the bar, such that the bar is encircled, and fastening the parts of the second velcro fastener  125   a ,  125   b  together. For diagramatic clarity, the attachment loop  40  is shown extending vertically downwards. However, when the first end  107  of the handstrap portion  105  is attached to the attachment bar  30 , as is about to be described variously, the tension in the handstrap portion  105 , in practice, pulls the attachment bar into a position more like that shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG.  3 (i) shows the first end  107  of the handstrap portion  105  connected to the attachment loop  30  when the hanging assembly  130  has been removed. To make this connection, the first end  107  of the handstrap portion  105  and the strap portion  115  are together passed over the bar  32  and together threaded back through the attachment loop  30 , as illustrated by the arrow L, to enable the parts of the first velcro fastener  123   a ,  123   b  to join together, i.e. enabling the fastener  123   b  on the end of the strap portion  115  to join with the fastener  123   a  on the handstrap portion  105 . The pad  127  on the first end  107  of the handstrap portion may or may not be partially sandwiched between the first Velcro fasteners  123   a , 123   b.    
     FIG.  3 (ii) shows the first end  107  of the handstrap portion  105  connected to the attachment loop  30  when the base portion  134  of the connector  132  is fitted. Here the connection process is the same except there is the further initial step of the base portion  134  of the connector  132  being threaded onto the strap portion  115 . 
     FIG.  3 (iii) shows connection the first end  107  of the handstrap portion  105  to attachment loop  30  when the whole hanging assembly  130  has been fitted. This differs from FIG.  3 (ii) only in that the second portion  144  of the connector has been connected to the first base portion  134 . 
     It will be appreciated that in any of the FIG. 3 configurations, the user will be able to use the carrier  100  in the hand-carry mode, in which mode the user is able to hold the telephone  10  in his palm in the normal way with his fingers passing between the handstrap portion  105  and the back of the telephone. In this position, the handstrap portion  105  serves to urge the telephone  10  into the palm of the user. Should the user release or lose his hold of the telephone, the strap  100  serves to retain the telephone in contact with the hand, thereby providing auxiliary support for the telephone. 
     If the user wishes to have the capability to use the handsfree mode of support then the FIG.  3 (iii) configuration must be adopted. In the handsfree mode, the belt connector  148  is clipped around a belt (not shown) such that the belt is confined in the region labelled X in FIG.  3 (iii). When in the handsfree mode, if the user wishes to make call, he has two choices. He can unclip the belt connector by unpopping the fasteners  156   a  and  156   b  or, he can squeeze the wings  138   a  and  138   b  together and disconnect the second portion of the connector  144  from the base portion  134  bringing the carrier into its FIG.  3 (ii) condition. Of course, the latter approach has the advantage that the telephone  10  can very rapidly restored to the handsfree carry mode after the call has been made. 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternative accoutrement-connection means showing a conventional connector suitable for connection to a belt-loop or a loop found on a bag or the like. The member  160  is biased into the position in FIG. 8 but can by the application of a an inwardly directed force indicated by the arrow D, pivot the member  160  in a clockwise direction from the FIG. 8 view to enable connection/disconnection. 
     From the discussion above, it will be appreciated that the carrier of the present invention enables the user to carry the radiotelephone  10  in a number of different ways according to the situation and to his needs or preferences. 
     Furthermore, the user can remove the strap  100  altogether. The user may then choose to fit another strap. Alternatively, if either (or even both) attachment loop  30 ,  40  is not required it can either be removed completely or withdrawn into its idle position (i.e. in the idle position, for the attachment loop  30 , the bar  32  sits in the groove  13   a  and for the attachment loop  40 , the bar  32  sits in the groove  13   b ) so as not to interfere with the user&#39;s normal use of the telephone. Even if the user does not take the trouble to move the attachment loops into their respective idle positions, they are not prone to rattling caused by rotational movement because of the favoured, rest positions of the hinge units  50   a-d , as previously described. Furthermore, the first attachment loop is not prone to rattling because of the linear displacement of the hinge units  50   c ,  50   d  because of the tight frictional fit between the hinge units  50   c  , 50   d  and the hinge carrier  46 . 
     In other embodiments, the hinge units may simply be spring biased to a single predetermined position to avoid rattling.