Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a mobile device, among others, on a hand brace. The systems include a case to enclose the mobile device and a system to wear the apparatus on a hand. The systems comprise of a case; a case tether coupled to the case; a hand brace shaft coupled to a hand brace and a case lock to secure the case in a closed position. Also presented, a method to carry and use the device while tethered to a hand.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to hand-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s). 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Personal electronic mobile devices have become extremely popular, providing on-the-go entertainment and data access as well as mobile phone service. Other personal electronic devices such as music players and video players have also gained in use and popularity. 
     Personal electronic devices are often carried in a pocket or purse, or may be attached to a holster attached to a belt. While some cases may offer protection alone, this protection often fails to provide quick access, ease of use and may take up room in a pocket or handbag. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to have systems and methods to carry mobile device(s) that provide quick access, ease of use and prevent mobile device(s) from damages incurred by inadvertent dropping while use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a mobile device, among others, on a hand brace. The system includes a case to secure the mobile device; a case having a hook adapted to receive a case tether in the form of a strap or ring to secure a case lock, a hand brace shaft coupled to a hand brace and the method to carry the case on the hand and the case can be locked or moved into a stowed position on the underside or on the back of a user&#39;s hand. 
     Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following. The flexibility of the case tether coupled to the case allows the mobile device to move to a landscape position, a vertical position or facing to or facing away from the user. A hand brace can be worn on a hand and slidably connected to the hand brace shaft. During use, the mobile device is inserted into the case. Next, a user wears the hand brace and secures the case to the hand of the user. 
     The use of the tether-housing offers further mobility. The case can be detached from the case tether and can be carried around on its own without attaching to the hand. The tether-housing can be made separate from the case and is allowed to attach to a case of choice by the user. 
     The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device while allows the hand wearing the hand brace to perform other tasks. This method of carrying devices on the hand minimizes the chance of an accidental dropping of the device and misplacing the device. While working with water or liquid it minimizes the chance of liquid being spilled onto and damage the device. If the case were mingled with other personal accessories in the purse or pocket, scratching the surface of the case is a real possibility but would be avoided with the using of the present system. 
     The carrying devices described above provides for an efficient and convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personal electronic device that can be attached to a user&#39;s hand. 
     The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1A  shows the components of an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock. 
         FIG. 1B  shows the components of an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap button system for the case lock. 
         FIG. 1C  shows the components of an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock with the tether-housing separated from the case. 
         FIG. 1D  shows the components of an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap button system for the case lock with the tether-housing separated from the case. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock in a locked and stored position carried in a user&#39;s palm. 
         FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock in a locked position slung on a user palm with the top opening of the case facing away the user&#39;s hand. 
         FIG. 3B  shows an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap system for the case lock in a locked position slung on a user&#39;s palm with the top opening of the case facing away the user&#39;s hand. 
         FIG. 4A  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock in an unlocked position in use by a user. 
         FIG. 4B  shows an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap system for the case lock in an unlocked position in use by a user. 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock carried in the back of the hand by a user. 
         FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap system for the case lock carried in the back of the hand by a user. 
         FIG. 6  shows the exemplary hand brace locked in the back of the hand while the mobile device is carried in the palm of the user&#39;s hand. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident; however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. 
     In the following paragraphs, the preferred embodiment will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the preferred embodiment and any equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the preferred embodiment throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). 
     The apparatus  100  comprises mainly a case  101 , a case tether  111 , a case lock  120 , a hand brace shaft  131 , and a hand brace  140 .  FIG. 1A  shows the components of an exemplary apparatus  100  using a belt for the case lock  120 . Case  101 , designed to protect a personal electronic mobile device including a phone, has a bottom wall and four side walls and is open on the top (not shown) for receiving a mobile device.  FIG. 1A  shows the rear view of the case  101  where the exterior surface of the bottom of the case  101  is visible. The case  101  contains a hole  109  to accommodate a built-in camera in the mobile device. The case  101  contains a hook  105  in the center of a tether-housing  107 , which is designed to securely couple to the case tether  111  so that the case  101  is securely attached to the tether  111  via the hook  105 . The tether-housing  107  may be surrounded by a retaining wall  108  ( FIG. 1C ). The tether housing  107  can also consists of a male snap  106  and a hook/ring  105  combination as illustrated in  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 1D . The hook  105  can be a hook with an opening for the quick release of the tether  111  or a bar across with no opening. If the hook  105  implemented has an opening, the purpose of the retaining wall  108  is to prevent the case tether  111  from unhooked accidentally. In this depiction, the space beneath the hook is hollowed out (e.g. a gap or recess) to reduce the height of the tether-housing  107 . This gap or recess is optional. The hook  105  can also be a ring or bar capable of accepting the case tether. Tether strap guides  103  are two raised poles located at the exterior surface of the bottom of the case  101 . These guides  103  restrain the case tether strap  111  in its proper path when the device is in its stowed position. 
     The case tether  111  may be a strap or a elastic ring with the opening large enough to slide into the hook  105  ( FIG. 1A ). The free end of the case tether  111  is looped around the hook  105  and secured by a locked fastener  113  on the exterior surface of the bottom of the case  101 . The other end of the case tether  111  is securely attached to the case lock  120  and the hand brace shaft  131 . Case tether  111  can be bent and twisted into any desired positions by a user. 
     The fastener  113  as depicted is a small snap fastener made for clothing but other suitable fasteners that allow the case tether  111  to be unsnapped or unbuttoned and be released from the hook  105  can be appropriate. 
     The case lock  120  can be any closure configurations capable of locking and securing the case  101  to the tether  111 , i.e. flexible elastic ring or a belt with a locking mechanism  121 A,  121 B as is illustrated in  FIG. 1A . A rivet grommet combination  130  pivotally joints the case lock  120  to the hand brace shaft  131 . 
     The belt of the case lock  120  is perpendicular to the case tether  111  ( FIG. 1A ). In a locked and stored mode, the belt of the case lock  120  wraps around the case  101  and the enclosed mobile device (not shown) and then secured by the locking mechanism  121 A and  121 B, so it provides additional mechanism to secure the mobile device to the case  101  and case tether  111 . This locked and stored mode of the apparatus using a belt for the case lock  120  is shown in  FIG. 2  and will be further discussed later. 
     Alternatively, the case lock  120  can be a fastener system such as a button and a buttonhole or a snap button system, a magnetic snap button system  106 ,  126  as is illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 1B  shows the components of an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap button system  106 ,  126  for the case lock  120  wherein the case  101  is presented in its rear view. In this depiction, the case lock  120  comprises of a magnetic snap system, a male snap  106  that is made of metal and a female magnetic snap  126  that contains a magnet within. The male snap  106  is securely located on the bottom of the case  101 . A hook  105  is located at the base of the male snap  106 . In this depiction, the tether-housing  107  is consists of the combination of the male snap  106  and the hook  105 . A case tether  111  is looped around the hook  105  and is fastened by a fastener  113 . The female magnetic snap  126  is located on the other end of the case tether  111 . In another embodiment, the male snap and female snap may switch their locations. A rivet grommet combination  130  pivotally joints the case tether  111  to the hand brace shaft  131 . 
     In a locked mode, the male snap  106  is snapped with the female magnetic snap  126  exposing the screen side of the case  101  away from the hand. The locked mode is used when the device is stored in the back of or in the inside of the palm. While in this mode, a user can still use the device for viewing and entering data. This mode is shown in  FIGS. 3B and 5B  will be further discussed later. 
     Now, refer to both  FIGS. 1A and 1B  for the following discussion. Hand brace  140  is shown separated from a hand brace shaft  131  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The hand brace  140  may be a strap with two strips of Velcro: one with microscopic loops  141 A and another strip with microscopic hooks  141 B as illustrated in both figures. During use, the hand brace  140  would be inserted into the hand brace shaft  131 . Then, the hand brace  140  would be strapped around a user&#39;s hand between the knuckle and the thumb and is secured by the two strips of Velcro as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Now, refer back to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The hand brace shaft  131  forms a loop for receiving the hand brace  140  and the loop can slide along the hand brace. A rivet grommet combination  130  located at the base of the hand brace shaft  131  allows the case lock  120  and the case tether  111  to rotate around it and the hand brace shaft  131  is, therefore, pivotably and rotatably coupled to the case lock  120  and the case tether  111 . As a result, the hand brace  140  is pivotably and rotatably coupled to the case lock  120  and the case tether  111  via the rivet grommet combination  130  and the hand brace shaft  131 . This in turn allows the case  101  secured to the case lock  120  and the case tether  111  to be rotated at the convenience of the user. 
     The rivet grommet combination  130  can be any combination of button, snap, rivet, stub, grommet and/or eyelet that allows the apparatus to rotate on it. The hand brace  140  is shown wraps around a user&#39;s hand in  FIG. 6 . The hand brace shaft  131  and the hand brace  140  working together secure the case  101  to a user&#39;s hand. The hand brace  140  can include a handband and a strap slidably coupled to the handband. 
     In  FIG. 1C , the case  101  is shown separated from the tether housing  107 . A tether housing  107  comprises of a hook  105  in the center of the retaining wall  108 . One side of a 2-sided adhesive tape  150  is shown attached to the bottom of the tether housing  107 . During use, the other side of the 2-sided adhesive tape  150  would be attached to the bottom of the case  101 . 
     In  FIG. 1D , the case  101  is shown separated from the tether housing  107  that consists of the male snap  106  and the hook/ring  105  combination. One side of a 2-sided adhesive tape  150  is shown attached to the bottom of the tether housing  107 . During use, the other side of the 2-sided adhesive tape  150  would be attached to the bottom of the case  101 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock  120  in a locked and stored position carried in a user&#39;s hand wherein the case  101  is presented in its rear view with the bottom facing away from the user&#39;s hand and the open top (which is the same side of the mobile device&#39;s screen side) facing towards the user&#39;s hand. To secure the case  101  in its locked position, the belt of the case lock  120  is looped around the body of the case  101  and the two ends of the belt are attached to each other by the locking mechanism  121  (e.g. a button and buttonhole or buckle). 
     During use, the Case tether  111  is looped around the hook  105  and securely attaches the mobile device to the hand brace  140 . Case tether  111  can be detached from hooks  105  as desired by the user. To unhook from the hook  105 , user can simply slide the case tether  111  out from the hook  105 . While unhooked, the case  101  can be carried and used separately by a user. 
       FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt for the case lock  120  in a locked position slung on a user palm wherein the bottom of the case faces toward the user&#39;s hand and the open top of the case faces away from the user&#39;s hand. The device is pivotally hanging on the palm of the hand. In this depiction, the case  101  is shown wrapped around and locked by the case lock  120  and with case tether  111  shown through the cavity created by the tether-housing  107 . The device is shown hanging in an angle to the hand. 
       FIG. 3B  shows an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap system for the case lock  120  in a locked position slung on a user palm wherein the bottom of the case faces toward the user&#39;s hand and the open top of the case faces away from the user&#39;s hand. This depiction is using a magnetic snap system as case lock  120 . No strap (belt) is needed to lock the case in place. The magnet in the magnetic snap system  106 ,  126  provides a locking mechanism and due to its male and female configuration, it also allows rotational movements. The case  101  is shown hanging in an angle to the hand. 
     The case can hang from the palm using the hand brace  140  without closing fingers around it ( FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  5 A and  5 B). In these carrying modes, the fingers are free of the case and are available to carry or perform other tasks. 
     Both of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show an exemplary apparatus in an unlocked position and in use by a user wherein the bottom of the case  101  faces toward the user&#39;s hand and the open top of the case (that is also the screen side of the mobile device) faces away from the user&#39;s hand. 
     To unlock the case  101  into its opened position, a user may simply unbutton or unbuckle the locking mechanism  121 A and  121 B and release the case  101  in the first embodiment ( FIG. 4A ) or unsnap the snaps  106  and  126  and release the case  101  in the second embodiment ( FIG. 4B .) 
     In  FIG. 4A , the user is typing on the mobile device including a phone (not shown) with the user&#39;s thumb. The case  101  is allowed to move unrestrained because the case tether  111  is flexible. The unlocked case lock  120  releases the case  101  into the opened position and allows for the free movement of the case  101  and the mobile device. The hand brace  140  is adaptably and slidably secured to the hand brace shaft  131 . As the figures demonstrate, the apparatus allows for a great range of movement of the mobile device. Although the case lock  120  is not surrounding the case  101  but the case  101  is still secured by the case tether  111  to prevent the case enclosed mobile device from dropping by accident. 
     In  FIG. 4B , the apparatus is in an unlocked mode, the two snaps of the magnetic snap system  106 ,  126  of the case lock  120  are not attached to each other. In this mode, the case  101  is free from the confined positions along the hand brace  140  where the hand brace shaft  131  travels but can be extended to the full length of the case tether  111 . In this mode, a user can move the device freely from the back of or the inside of the palm to a location convenient for use such as to finger tips. With the case tether  111  still connected to the case  101 , the case tether  111  protects the mobile device from damages incurred by accidental droppings. 
       FIG. 5A  shows an exemplary apparatus using a belt as the case lock  120  carried in the back of the hand by a user. In this depiction, the mobile device is carried on the back of the hand, in a dorsal position opposite to the palm. Case lock  120  and case tether  111  are shown securing the case  101  to the hand brace  140 . Hand brace  140  is shown wrapping around a hand. In this position, the fingers and the palm are free to perform other tasks unimpeded while the device is conveniently carried. 
       FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary apparatus using a magnetic snap system as the case lock  120  carried in the back of the palm by a user. In this depiction, the device is carried on the back of the hand, in a dorsal position opposite to the palm, case lock  120  and case tether  111  are being hidden on the underside of the case  101  and are securing the case  101  to the hand brace  140 . Hand brace  140  is shown wrapping around a hand. In this position, the top-side of the case  101  is facing away from the hand and exposes the screen of the device (not shown) towards the user. The device is, therefore, available for use and the fingers and the palm are free to perform other tasks unimpeded while the device is conveniently carried with the screen facing to the user and ready for use. 
       FIG. 6  shows the exemplary hand brace  140  locked in the back of the hand while the device is carried in the palm of the user&#39;s hand. During use, the mobile device is inserted into the case housing. Next, a user then wears the hand brace  140  and secures it to the user&#39;s hand. 
     Tether  111 , case lock  120  and hand brace  140  may be fabricated from any suitable material including leather, fabric, plastic, webbing, cloth or rubber band, metal or synthetic materials or any combination thereof. 
     The mechanism of the closures  113 ,  120  and  140  is comprised of a strap loop, a band with Velcro type of loops on one side and hooks on another, a belt and buckle, a button and buttonhole or a snap button and receptacle type of configurations. In another embodiment, the coupling is comprised of threaded loop and stitching/gluing and clips. Other embodiments may be by a variety of means to accomplish the task of coupling. 
     In order to provide the best viewing and typing angles, the system flexibly allows the case  101  to face and pivot in omni-directions. 
     To offer further mobility and with the use of the Tether-housing  107 , the case  101  can be detached from the case tether  111 . The case  101  can then be carried around on its own without attaching to the hand. The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device while allows the hand wearing the case  101  attached to a both sides of the hand to perform other tasks ( FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A and  5 B). 
     The apparatus described above provides for an efficient and a convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personal mobile device such as a cell phone or a camera attached to a user&#39;s hand. These features allow the user to type, take pictures, and complete other activities with ease. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitations. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example of the preferred embodiment, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the embodiment. The present system is not restricted to the illustrated example designs or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative designs and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the present apparatus. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     Although the above system is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present system should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
     Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. 
     A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. 
     The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be distributed across multiple locations. 
     Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration. 
     The foregoing description of various disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
     Various modifications and alterations of the above apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language. 
     While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.