Abstract:
This invention is for a portable electronic device hanger, which is specifically designed to be wore as a necklace. The hanger is designed as compact as possible, lightweight and with easy accessibility to the electronic device, including an adjustable lanyard which is fully retractable to facilitate storage. The electronic device is easily attached or detached from the hanger.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/125,807 filed Feb. 2, 2015, which hereby is incorporated by reference, and it is a substitute specification for the application Ser. No. 15/011,987 filed on Feb. 1, 2016. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention
   The present invention relates to portable electronic equipment such as I-pods and cell phones. More particularly to a holder for such portable electronic devices, designed to use around the neck of a user for easy accessibility and operation of the device, while allowing easy attachment or detachment of the electronic device.   
 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art
   Modern electronic equipment such as cell phones has been designed very compact for easy portability. Typical storage places such as purses, pockets, and belt holders does not allow a good monitoring of incoming calls or notifications. The attempted solutions have not sufficiently addressed the needs of the users who have no other choice than consistently carrying the device on their hands. Many of the prior inventions are hand straps, belt holders, arm holders, head straps which have not succeeded in providing the accessibility, comfort and flexibility demanded by the consumers. Other inventions rely on wireless communications such as blue tooth devices to keep the device in stored position while in use. But even these devices do not offer the desired full interface with the device features. The attempted solutions in general have not provided an easy access to the device or means of monitoring, operating or interfacing with the device in a convenient manner. Therefore, it is a demand for an alternative method of carrying the device that allows that close interface with the user while still maintaining the portability.   
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The electronic device carrier of the present invention arises as a need to free the user&#39;s hands from carrying the device while keeping it easily accessible for retrieval and constant monitoring and operation. The invention is intended to be wearable as a necklace. As such it needs to be as compact as possible, lightweight, easy to remove, provide full accessibility to the electronic device, comfortable to wear, and located in a part of the user&#39;s body that allows constant monitoring and operation of the electronic device without removal. The electronic device hanger object of the present invention offers self-contained and retractable strap for wearing the hanger and attached electronic device around the user&#39;s neck. The hanger allows adjusting the strap length along the user&#39;s chest, for accessibility, comfort or proper use. Also, the strap can be fully retrieved inside the carrier for storage avoiding the problem of tangling of the strap with other objects inside the purse or pocket. An added feature for the device object of the present invention is the possibility of using a cellphone as a body video camera, since it is possible to activate the video feature while the unit hangs in the user&#39;s neck as a regular necklace. Under this mode, the user could adjust the camera along his chest for the perfect viewing position. 
         [0007]    Many other advantages are obvious for such hands-free carrier such as preventing the device from falling to the ground or water, preventing from leaving the electronic device in odd places, allowing easy device detachment if required, while still having full accessibility to the electronic device. 
         [0008]    The hanger could be specifically configured for every electronic device by providing the necessary gripping means. These gripping means could take many shapes which are intrinsic to how the device should be best attached or removed from the holder object of the present invention. 
         [0009]    The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment of every possible implementation. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functional similar elements throughout the separate views, which are not true to scale, and which, together with the detailed descriptions below, are incorporated in and form part of the application, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance to the present invention. Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detail description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective showing a typical user wearing the hanger object of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective of the hanger object of the present invention, describing basic elements. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3 a    is an isometric view of the hanger assembly showing the front and its external components. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3 b    is an isometric view of the hanger assembly showing the rear face of the hanger and its elements. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4 a    is an isometric view of the hanger body showing the front features. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4 b    is an isometric view of the hanger body showing the internal features. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4 c    is an isometric view of the winding spool showing its features. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5 a    is a projected view of the rear face of the hanger assembly showing the internal components. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5 b    is a projected view of the left side of the hanger assembly with the electronic device attached. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6 a    is a projected view of a simplified hanger body with the purpose of showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention where the gripping elements are keyed to the hanger body for easy exchange. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6 b    is a cross sectional view of the simplified hanger body with the purpose of showing the keyed gripping elements for easy exchange. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7 a    is a cross sectional view along the alternate embodiment of the present invention where gripping element contains features that allow the easy insertion and locking in place of the electronic device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7 b    is a profile section of the left hand side of the hanger body containing an alternate embodiment for the gripping element which allows easy engagement and disengagement of the electronic device. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a partial view of the bare hanger body showing the detachable fixed end of the lanyard as an exemplary method of one of the many ways the fixed end could be easily remove and engage to the hanger body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in numerous forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numeral are carried forward. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , the embodiments of the hanger assembly of the present invention are depicted. As shown by  FIG. 1  the hanger assembly  10  is depicted in its intended use mode, hanging from the user&#39;s neck by the retractable lanyard  12 .  FIG. 2  shows one of the embodiments of the hanger assembly  10  exposing the required external elements. Since the preferred manufacturing process for the main components of the housing assembly  10  is plastic molding, parts will be described as plastic molded components which include the necessary features for functionality, it is lightweight, durable and cost effective. The housing  13  is a single plastic molded part that contains the many features required for assembling the necessary components which makes possible the required functionality. The lanyard  12 , being a flexible and pliable material, preferably flat shaped, for use around the users neck and to suspend the hanger assembly with the electronic device  11  attached. The grippers  59  for securing the electronic device  11  to the hanger&#39;s housing  13 . The grippers  59  can adopt many shapes dictated by the electronic device  11  to be attached. The grippers  59  can be molded as an integral part of the hangers housing  13  as shown by  FIGS. 3 a    and  3   b,  or as separate elements with a custom attachment system as shown by  FIGS. 6 a    and  6   b.  The housing  13  contains the lanyard retrieval and locking system which allows to fully conceal or extend the lanyard to its maximum length combined with a locking system which allows to maintain certain length of lanyard outside the housing  13 , for the purpose of providing an adjustable position for the hanger assembly  10  when in-use. As the housing is manufactured by the process of injection molding, the parts contain cavities called plastic savers  17 , to reduce the amount of material and weight as permitted. 
         [0027]    The lanyard  12  is preferably a piece of flat and flexible material that is attached to the frame of the housing  13 , one end of the lanyard  12  identified as fixed end  14 , and the other end is attached into a winding spool  37 , denoted as the floating end  15 . The flattened shape allows maximize storage capacity within a winding spool  37  and it is more comfortable to the wearer than a cylindrical shaped lanyard since it distributes the device weight over a larger surface area. 
         [0028]    The housing  13 , depicted in  FIGS. 4 a    and  4   b,  contains several structures to locate and allow operation of the several elements of the device. These structures within the housing  13  are the winding spool cavity  34 , the lanyard lock lever pocket  49 , and the lanyard fixed end pocket  28 . The lanyard fixed end pocket  28  containing a lanyard groove  25 , a lanyard post  26  and the lanyard post groove  27 . These structures within the fixed lanyard pocket  28  for securing the lanyard fixed end  14  to the housing  13 . The winding spool cavity  34  is a cylindrical pocket with a central post  35  where a winding spool  37  and winding spring  44  are rotationally disposed. Also contained within the housing  13  is the lanyard lock lever pocket  49 , and the lanyard lock lever spring pocket  50 . The lanyard lock lever  52  is pivotally disposed within the lock lever pocket  49  around the lock lever post  51 . The lock lever  52  is urged by the lock lever spring  57  to pinch the lanyard  12  within the housing lanyard groove  24  within the housing  13 , to secure the lanyard within the housing for controlling the external lanyard length. The particular configuration for the lanyard locking system comprises a lock lever  52 , which contains a pivot hole  53  to be pivotally disposed over the lock lever post  51  within the lock lever pocket  49 . The lock lever  52 , also contains a section denoted as lock lever push arm  56  that projects outside the housing  13  to allow the user to actuate such lock lever  52  for releasing the lanyard  12  contained within the housing  13 , or for retrieving the lanyard  12  into the housing  13 . Depressing the lock lever push arm  56 , overrides the force of the lock lever spring  57  which otherwise pushes the lock lever pinch arm  54  against the lanyard  12  and the lanyard groove  24 . 
         [0029]    The winding spool  37  depicted by  FIG. 4 , is located within the winding spool cavity of the body  10 . The function of the winding spool  37  is to provide storing space for the lanyard  12  within the housing  13  and to provide the force that allows the retrieval of the lanyard  12  inside the housing  13 . Within the spool  37  is disposed a winding spring  44 . The winding spring  44  for producing torsional motion to the spool  37 . The spool  37  is comprised of two axial flanges  39 , connected by a center hub  38 . The hub  38  contains the winding spring pocket anchor  41 , and a center hole  43 . The winding spring pocket anchor  41  for anchoring and containment of the winding spring  44 , and the center hole  43  for rotationally disposing the spool  37  around a post  35  located within the spool cavity  34 . Within the periphery of the spool hub  38  is disposed a winding spring hook groove  41  for anchoring the winding spring outer end  45 . Also within the periphery of the spool hub  38  is disposed the lanyard floating end  15  which is secured to the spool  37  by the lanyard anchoring groove  42 . The spool spring  44  has an inner end  46  which is fixedly attached to the housing  13  by means of the spool cavity post groove  36 . Under this configuration and with the interaction of the corresponding elements, the spool  37  is provided a torsional force by the spring  44 , which winds the lanyard  12  within the spool flanges  39 . The elements internally contained within the housing  17  are secured in place by a rear face cover  32 . The cover  32  is a thin piece of rigid material held in place against the housing  13  by fasteners  33  as shown by  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0030]    Externally disposed in both sides of the housing  13  are a set of grippers  59  to secure a portable electronic device against the housing  13 . The housing  13 , could be manufactured without such grippers  59 , instead a set of interlocking keys  29  and the housing key slot  31  as shown by  FIGS. 6 a    and  6   b.  These keys  29 , could be used to adapt custom grippers  30  for adapting to a variety of electronic device shapes. In addition to the grippers  59 , the housing  13  may contain additional structures to restrain movement of the electronic device within the housing  13 . The current configuration of the housing  13  which is used for descriptive purposes illustrates a couple of grippers  59 , with an undercut  60 . The intended purpose of the undercuts  60  is to extend between the gripper  59  walls and towards the face of the electronic device  11 . This insures that the electronic device  11  is held between the grippers undercut  60  and the housing front face  21 . Since these elements do not fully constrain the electronic device  11  to the housing  13 , additional structures are necessary to provide full constrains. These structures as the bottom stoppers  18  and the upper retainer tab  19 . As the electronic device is slid against the housing front face  21  and under the grippers undercuts  60 , the bottom tabs  18  provide a stopping element in one direction of possible motion. On top of the housing  13  is shown another structure consisting of a flexible tab  19  with a retention hook  20 . This flexible tab  19  deflects while the electronic device  11  is inserted into through the housing  13 , then the retention hook  20  snaps back onto the upper edge of the electronic device  11  when the bottom edge of such electronic device  11  reaches the bottom tabs  18 . The interaction of these holding elements fully constrain the movement of the electronic device  11  within the housing  13 . To remove the electronic device from the housing  13 , the flexible tab  19  is slightly bend away from the electronic device  11  top edge, while the electronic device  11  is pulled off the housing  13 . 
         [0031]    As aforementioned, these holding structures grippers  59 , bottom tab  18  and flex tab  19  are integral part of the housing and are configured for a predetermined electronic device  13  dimensional envelope. To tame with the problem of different electronic device configurations instead of manufacturing a housing per every different electronic device, a universal housing  13  could be configured in such a way that only few gripping elements are changed to adapt to different geometrical shapes. This is illustrated by  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    where the housing  13  has gripper keys slots  31  and the grippers have matching keys  29 . 
         [0032]    Alternatively to the gripping structures afore described,  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    describes a grippers system that utilizes lateral friction to secure the electronic device  11  within the housing  13 , eliminating the need of additional constraining elements on top of the housing  13 . This gripper system is shown for illustration purposes as part of the housing, but may also be part of a custom gripper  30  since it is a variation of gripper structure. Under this configuration at least one of the grippers is a single element attached or detachable from the housing. Under this consideration, one gripper wall  63  remains as the straight supporting edge, the other gripper  59  contains a locking element denoted as slide button  66 . The slide button  66  inner wall  67  slides against the gripper wall  61 , which is slightly inclined. The inclination of the gripper wall  61 , moves the slide button friction face  68  laterally against the electronic device  11  side face as the slide button  66  moves upwards against the gripper wall  61 . The gripper button  66  is urged against its top position by a slide button spring  71 , disposed inside the slide button cavity  69 , and the gripper wall pocket  65 . The slide button  66  contains a touch face  70  for moving the slide button  66  downwards and release the force acting over the electronic device  11  face. 
         [0033]    When the hanger assembly  10  coupled with the electronic device  11  is in storage condition, the lanyard is fully wound into the spool  38  as shown by  FIGS. 2   a,    2   b  and  5   a.  When the hanger  10  with the electronic device  11  are ready for use, the user pulls the exposed section of the lanyard  12  as much as he desires, places the lanyard  12  over his/her neck, then adjust the hanger housing  13  height over the chest by using the lock lever push arm  56 . In this position, the user can keep close monitoring of the device and can use such electronic device  11  without detaching it from the hanger  10  or his neck. To remove the hanger  10  with the electronic device  11  from his/her neck simply pulls the unit while holding the block lever push arm  56  to easily extend the lanyard  12  length. After the carrier assembly  10  is removed, the user will push the lock lever push arm  56  to fully store the lanyard within the housing  13 . The hanger  11  also could be configured in a way that allows easy detachment and attachment of the fixed portion of the lanyard  14  for looping the lanyard around the neck as shown by  FIG. 8 . In this configuration the lanyard fixed end  14  is attached to an anchoring clip  74  that easily engages or disengages into the housing clip cavity  75 . 
         [0034]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although, specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitations. 
       NUMERICAL REFERENCE 
       [0035]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Hanger assembly 
               
               
                 11 
                 Electronic Device 
               
               
                 12 
                 Lanyard 
               
               
                 13 
                 Housing 
               
               
                 14 
                 Lanyard fixed end 
               
               
                 15 
                 Lanyard floating end 
               
               
                 16 
               
               
                 17 
                 Material saver 
               
               
                 18 
                 Bottom stoppers 
               
               
                 19 
                 Upper tab 
               
               
                 20 
                 Retainer hook 
               
               
                 21 
                 Housing front face 
               
               
                 22 
                 Housing rear face 
               
               
                 23 
               
               
                 24 
                 Lanyard groove 
               
               
                 25 
                 Fixed end strap groove 
               
               
                 26 
                 Fixed end strap post 
               
               
                 27 
                 Fixed end strap post groove 
               
               
                 28 
                 Lanyard fixed end pocket 
               
               
                 29 
                 Gripper Key 
               
               
                 30 
                 Custom gripper 
               
               
                 31 
                 Housing key slots 
               
               
                 32 
                 Face cover 
               
               
                 33 
                 Face cover fasteners 
               
               
                 34 
                 Spool cavity 
               
               
                 35 
                 Spool cavity post 
               
               
                 36 
                 Spool cavity post slit 
               
               
                 37 
                 Spool 
               
               
                 38 
                 Spool hub 
               
               
                 39 
                 Spool flanges 
               
               
                 40 
                 Spool spring pocket 
               
               
                 41 
                 Spool spring pocket anchor 
               
               
                 42 
                 Spool hub strap anchor 
               
               
                 43 
                 Spool center hole 
               
               
                 44 
                 Spool spring 
               
               
                 45 
                 Spool spring outer end 
               
               
                 46 
                 Spool spring inner end 
               
               
                 47 
               
               
                 48 
               
               
                 49 
                 Lock lever pocket 
               
               
                 50 
                 Lock lever spring pocket 
               
               
                 51 
                 Lock lever pocket post 
               
               
                 52 
                 Lock lever 
               
               
                 53 
                 Lock lever pivot 
               
               
                 54 
                 lock lever pinch arm 
               
               
                 55 
                 Lock lever spring pocket 
               
               
                 56 
                 Lock lever push arm 
               
               
                 57 
               
               
                 58 
               
               
                 59 
                 Grippers 
               
               
                 60 
                 Gripper undercut 
               
               
                 61 
                 Gripper wall 
               
               
                 62 
                 Gripper wall tab 
               
               
                 63 
                 Gripper wall straight 
               
               
                 64 
                 Gripper wall outer face 
               
               
                 65 
                 Gripper wall pocket 
               
               
                 66 
                 Slide button 
               
               
                 67 
                 Slide button inner wall 
               
               
                 68 
                 Slide button friction face 
               
               
                 69 
                 Slide button cavity 
               
               
                 70 
                 Slide button contact face 
               
               
                 71 
                 Slide button spring 
               
               
                 72 
                 Friction pads 
               
               
                 73 
                 Device side face 
               
               
                 74 
                 Anchoring clip 
               
               
                 75 
                 Housing clip cavity