Abstract:
A handheld device that has a modifiable handgrip configuration. The modifiable handgrip configuration allows the form of the handheld device to be changed depending on a user&#39;s preference. A user may change the handgrip configuration of the device to a form optimized for gripping by a particular manner according to needs. In an embodiment, the handheld device comprises substantially parallel sides configured to allow attachment and removal of alternative handgrips.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to handheld devices and, more particularly, to a handheld device having a modifiable handgrip configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Handheld devices, such as remote controllers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and cellular phones, have become increasingly popular as technology has advanced. Most of these handheld devices can be held and operated in one hand, or held in one hand and operated with the other hand. 
     Many users of handheld devices prefer to grip the device by its sides using their fingers or to cradle the device in the palm of their hand. Most handheld devices are designed and formed best for use while either gripped by the sides or cradled in the palm of the hand, but are not formed best for use both ways. For example, PDAs, which are generally rectangular with concave sides, may be gripped easily by the sides. However, a PDA having convex sides may be better fitted to the palm of the hand for a user preferring to operate the device cradled in the palm of the hand. The same situation may apply to other handheld devices, in that the handheld device may be better configured for a handheld use not preferable to the user of the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a handheld device that has a modifiable handgrip configuration. The modifiable handgrip configuration allows the form of the handheld device to be changed depending on the needs and preferences of a user of the device. For example, a user who prefers to grip the device by the edges may change the handgrip configuration of the device to a form optimized for gripping at the edges, while a user who prefers to cradle the device in the palm of the hand may change the handgrip configuration to a form optimized for cradling in the palm of the hand. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a generally rectangular device is provided with an edge configured to allow removal and replacement of handgrips at the sides of the device. Each handgrip of the device may be removed and replaced by sliding the handgrip out of and into grooves formed on the sides of the device with a rib formed on the handgrip to engage the grooves. Alternatively, other methods could be used to allow removal and replacement of the handgrips. For example, the rib could be formed on the side of the device, and a groove on the handgrip could engage the rib for removal and replacement of the handgrip by sliding, or snap fasteners could be used to secure the handgrip on each side of the device. 
     In the embodiment, the handgrip may be formed with a convex or concave form. When a user desires to grip the device by the sides, handgrips having concave form may be used. When a user desires to cradle the device in palm of the hand, handgrips having convex form may be used. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  1 C illustrate front, left side and bottom views, respectively, of a handheld device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C illustrate front, left side and bottom views, respectively, of an alternative grip configuration of a handheld device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate corner views of a handheld device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom views of the left side of the representation of the handheld device shown in FIGS. 1C and 2C, respectively; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate bottom views of an alternative attachment method according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C illustrate another alternative attachment method according to an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  1 C, therein are illustrated front, left side and bottom views, respectively, of a handheld device according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of the invention, handheld device  100  may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) or handheld personal computer (PC). Handheld device  100  comprises a body  116  having sides  118   a  and  118   b . Handheld device  100  includes control keys  104  and microphone  106  for controlling operation. Handheld device  100  may include electrical connection parts  122  for interfacing the device with other electronic devices. Side  118   a  includes raised portions  110   a  and  112   a , and side  118   b  includes raised portions  110   b  and  112   b . In the embodiment, each of the raised portions  110   a  and  112   a  ( 110   b  and  112   b ) runs the length of side  118   a  ( 118   b ) and provides a gripping portion on side  118   a  ( 118   b ). Side  118   a  ( 118   b ) also includes a rib  114   a  ( 114   b ) that runs along side  118   a  ( 118   b ). 
     According to the embodiment of the invention, handgrips  108   a  and  108   b  may be attached or secured on sides  118   a  and  118   b  to form a gripping surface with said gripping portions of each of  118   a  and  118   b . In FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  1 C, handgrips  108   a  and  108   b  are configured to removably fit within raised portions  110   a  and  112   a  and within raised portions  110   b  and  112   b  to form a concave gripping surface on the gripping portion of sides  118   a  and  118   b . In the embodiment, handgrips  108   a  and  108   b  may be of any material that flexibly conforms to the contour of body  116 . Ribs  114   a  and  114   b , as shown in FIG. 1C, run along sides  118   a  and  118   b  and receive a groove that is formed in the inside surface of handgrips  108   a  and  108   b.    
     Referring now to FIG. 4A, therein is illustrated a bottom view of a left side section of handheld device  100 . FIG. 4A illustrates a detailed view of the left side of the representation of device  100  as shown in FIG.  1 C. Rib  114   a , formed on body  116 , is shown engaging a groove formed on inside surface  120  of handgrip  108   a . Another view of handheld device  100  is shown in FIG.  3 A. FIG. 3A illustrates a corner view of a portion of handheld device  100  with a concave gripping area according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3A shows the generally concave gripping area formed by handgrip  108   a  and raised portions  110   a  and  112   a.    
     Referring now to FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C, therein are illustrated front, left side and bottom views, respectively, of the handheld device of FIG. 1 with a modified handgrip configuration. In FIGS. 2A-2C, handheld device  100  has been configured so that handgrips  208   a  and  208   b  have replaced the handgrips  108   a  and  108   b  shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. Handgrips  208   a  and  208   b  are configured to removably fit within raised portions  110   a  and  112   a  and  110 i b l and  112   b  to form a convex gripping surface on the gripping portion of sides  118   a  and  118   b.    
     Referring now to FIG. 4B, therein is illustrated a bottom view of a left side section of handheld device  100 . FIG. 4B illustrates a detailed view of the left side of the representation of the device  100  as shown in FIG.  2 C. Handgrip  208   a  has a groove formed on inside surface  220   a  that allows attachment to rib  114   a . Another view of handheld device  100  is shown in FIG.  3 B. FIG. 3B illustrates a corner view of a right side portion of handheld device  100  with a convex gripping area according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3B shows the generally convex gripping area formed by handgrip  208   a  and raised portions  110   a  and  112   a.    
     While handgrips  108   a ,  108   b ,  208   a  and  208   b  are shown running the length of body  116  in FIGS. .  1 A- 1 C and FIGS. 2A-2C, in alternative variations of the embodiment handgrips  108   a ,  108   b ,  208   a  and  208   b  may be of any length that forms an acceptable gripping surface on body  116 , when the handgrips are attached to body  116 . In these embodiments, the handgrips may be formed of any suitable material of any resilience. Alternative embodiments may also provide a single modifiable handgrip or more than two modifiable handgrips. In another alternative, the device body may be configured so that grooves on the sides of the body, such as shown by groove  514   a  in FIGS. 5A and 5B, are formed to receive a rib  516   a ,  616   a  that is formed on the handgrip  508   a  or  608   a , rather than the grooves being formed on the handgrips. Whether formed on the handgrips or on the device body in various alternatives, the grooves may be closed or open ended, or open at one side so that the handgrips may be slid or pressed removably onto the device body. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, the handgrips may be of any other shape or form that provides a desired gripping surface for a user of the handheld device. For example, a handgrip may include indentations that form gripping surfaces with finger positions on the edges of a handheld device, or provide rings to position the user&#39;s fingers at certain locations on the handheld device. 
     Also, in alternative embodiments, the handgrips may be attached to the sides of the handheld device by any method that provides acceptable attachment and allows removal of the handgrips. For example, a peg and slot arrangement could be utilized. Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, therein is illustrated an alternative attachment method for handgrips according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A shows a portion of handgrip  708  having at least one peg, such as peg  710 , formed on inside surface  712  of handgrip  708 . FIG. 6B shows a bottom view of handgrip  708 . Peg  710  has a narrow portion  716  and a head portion  714 . There may be a plurality of pegs, such as peg  710 , formed on inside surface  712 . FIG. 6C shows a side view of a portion of a handheld device. Raised portions  812  and  814  of the handheld device of FIG. 6C correspond to raised portions  110   a  and  112   a  of handheld device  100  of FIGS. 1A-1C. A plurality of keyholes, such as keyholes  810   a  and  810   b , each has a broad portion,  818   a  and  818   b , and a narrow portion,  816   a  and  816   b , respectively. The head portion of each peg, such as head portion  714  of peg  710 , on a handgrip, such as handgrip  708 , is inserted into one of the keyholes on the handheld device and slid in the direction of the narrow portion, locking and attaching the handgrip to the handheld device by locking head  714  in narrow portion  816   a  or  816   b.    
     Although described above with respect to particular embodiments of handheld devices, it is the scope of this invention to include any handheld device, such as a mobile phone, cellular communicator, two-way radio, remote controller or pager, that provides edges acceptable for attaching handgrips. 
     Thus, while the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.