Abstract:
Disclosed are a holder strap for a portable device, and a fixation guider for guiding the strap through an inserting hole of the portable device in order to fix the strap at the portable device without using an additional commercial tool. The strap can be used to hang the portable device on a hand, a neck, a bag, a purse, or the like. The fixation guider can be readily inserted into the inserting hole of the portable device. The fixation guider for the strap includes a strap holding portion for enclosing and holding the strap therein, and a projection portion extending from the strap holding portion and configured to insert in the inserting hole of the portable device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-42513, filed on Jun. 10, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.  
         [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a strap for a portable device, and more particularly, to a strap and a fixation guider for guiding the strap for a portable device into an inserting hole of the portable device, wherein the strap is used for hanging the portable device, such as a portable communicator, a portable radio, a compact camera, and a portable game machine etc., from a hand, a neck, a bag, a purse, or any other fixture or device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     A portable device strap  50 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , comprises a hanging string  52  and a connecting string  55 . The hanging string  52  is for hanging a portable device on a hand, a neck, a bag, or a purse and the connecting string  55  is attached to a portable device, such as a mobile phone or a camera.  
         [0006]     The hanging string  52  has a loop shape with a suitable length and width, and the connecting string  55  has a similar loop shape but is generally shorter and narrower than the string  52 . The hanging string  52  and the connecting string  55  are typically coupled in a single body by bonding or sealing both ends of the hanging string  52  after inserting an end of the connecting string  55  between both ends of the hanging string  52 .  
         [0007]     The strap  50  is attached to a portable device  2  after inserting into an inserting hole  5  of the portable device  2 . More specifically, in order to connect the portable device, the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  is passed through a strap path P formed between the inserting hole  5  of the portable device  2  and a supporting rod  6  crossing the inserting hole  5 , the hanging string  52  is then passed through the loop on the tip of the connecting string  55  and is tightened against the supporting rod  6 .  
         [0008]     However, the connecting string  55  generally does not have sufficient strength and elasticity since it is typically made of fabric. Therefore, the connecting string  55  is not readily inserted into the inserting hole  5  having a curved space, and even if the connecting string  55  is inserted into the inserting hole  5 , it is not easily withdrawn from the inserting hole  5 .  
         [0009]     Especially, as the size of the portable device  2  decreases, the size of the inserting hole  5  also generally decreases and it becomes more difficult to pass the connecting string  55  through the inserting hole  5 .  
         [0010]     To solve this problem, the connecting string  55  inserted in the inserting hole  5  can be pulled through the inserting hole  5  using a pin. However, there is a drawback in that an additional tool such as a pin is necessary, and there are risks of getting injured by the sharp pin and losing the pin since it is small.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a fixation guider for guiding a strap of a portable device so that the strap can be readily inserted into an inserting hole of the portable device without an additional commercial fixation tool.  
         [0012]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a fixation guider for guiding a strap to fix at a portable device comprises a strap holding portion, and a projection portion extending from the strap holding portion. The strap holding portion is configured to enclose and hold the strap, and the projection portion is configured to insert into an inserting hole of the portable device.  
         [0013]     The projection portion may include an upper plate and a lower plate. At least portions of the upper plate and the lower plate are preferably bonded or bound together.  
         [0014]     The upper plate and the lower plate are connected with the strap holding portion. The strap holding portion can surround a portion of the strap for holding the strap therein.  
         [0015]     The fixation guider may have suitable strength, elasticity and flexibility so that it can be moved along a curved or small space of the inserting hole formed at the portable device.  
         [0016]     Also, the strap holding portion can be formed in a single body with the upper plate and the lower plate, and the upper plate and the lower plate may be bonded by an adhesive disposed at least a portion between the upper plate and the lower plate.  
         [0017]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a strap for a portable device comprises an elongated strap for attaching to the portable device, and a fixation guider configured to attach at the elongated strap, wherein the fixation guider includes a strap holding portion for holding the strap with the strap holding portion, and a projection portion extending from the strap holding portion, the projection portion having sufficient strength and flexibility and dimensioned such that the projection portion can pass a small insertion path formed at the portable device in order to fix the strap to the portable device.  
         [0018]     The elongated strap preferably includes a first loop and a second loop, with the second loop having a length shorter than the first loop, and the fixation guider is configured to attach preferably at the second loop of the elongated strap.  
         [0019]     The fixation guider of the strap is preferably formed of a plastic or polymer material. The fixation guider may also be formed of other suitable material.  
         [0020]     The strap holding portion may have at least one notch formed at the strap holding portion or other means for facilitating removal of the fixation guider after fixation of the strap to the portable device.  
         [0021]     The portable device may be a camera or other compact and portable products. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable device with a conventional strap attached thereto;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a process of attaching the conventional strap of  FIG. 1  to a portable device;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a strap coupled with a fixation guider before attaching to a portable device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A through 4C  are perspective views illustrating a method of coupling the fixation guider with the strap of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0027]      FIGS. 5A through 5D  are perspective views illustrating a method of fixing the strap with a portable device using the fixation guider of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the fixation guider of the invention coupled with the strap. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a fixation guider  100  for guiding installation of a strap  50  to portable devices comprises a strap holding portion  120 , and a projection portion  101 . The strap  50  is typically formed of a loop shaped fabric cord or string for hanging a portable device on a hand, a neck, a bag, or other fixtures or the like after fixing to a suitable structure of the portable device.  
         [0031]     The projection portion  101  extends from the strap holding portion  120  and guides the strap to be readily inserted into the inserting hole  5 .  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the projection portion  101  may include an upper plate  110  and a lower plate  130  each extending from the strap holding portion  120  and bound together.  
         [0033]     The strap  50  typically includes a hanging string  52  that hangs the portable devices on a hand, a neck, a bag, a purse, or the like, and a connecting string  55  of suitable dimension for fixing at the portable device  2 , such as a mobile phone, camera, or the like after insertion into the inserting hole  5 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the strap holding portion  120  surrounds a portion of the connecting string  55  of the strap  50 . However, the strap  50  is not limited to the configurations as described above, and the present invention can be applied to any configuration of the strap  50  as long as it can be inserted to the inserting hole  5  for coupling with such a portable device.  
         [0034]     Accordingly, referring to  FIG. 3 , the fixation guider  100  for the strap  50  can be easily passed through a strap path P formed about the inserting hole  5  and the supporting rod  6  which crosses the inserting hole  5 . The user then pulls the fixation guider  100 , with the strap  50  connected thereto, from the outside. Thus, the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  coupled with the fixation guider  100  can be easily passed through the inserting hole  5 .  
         [0035]     The fixation guider  100  has sufficient strength and elasticity to be easily inserted into the inserting hole  5  and passed along an inner circumference of the inserting hole  5  with flexibility. The fixation guider  100  of an inserting strap is preferably formed of a plastic or polymer material having suitable strength and elasticity. However, the fixation guide of the invention can be made of other suitable materials, such as hard paper, treated paper, paper or plastic material with a metal string core, etc., as long as they can provide enough strength and resiliency to guide such insertion of the carrying strap for the portable device.  
         [0036]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixation guider  100  for the strap  50  can be formed in a single body. That is, as depicted in  FIGS. 4A through 4C , the fixation guider  100  for the strap  50  can be unitarily formed having the strap holding portion  120  between the upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130 . Then, a part of the connecting string  55  is placed on the strap holding portion  120  as shown in  FIG. 4B .  
         [0037]     The upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130  of the fixation guider  100  is connected, for example, by bonding such that the strap holding portion  120  surrounds the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  in its closed space.  
         [0038]     To achieve this, an adhesive  140  is applied on at least one of a lower surface  110   b  of the upper plate  110  and an upper surface  130   u  of the lower plate  130 . The adhesive  140  may be in the form of a double-sided tape. In this case, the upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130  can be readily bonded by pressing the upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130  after attaching the double-sided tape to one of the lower surface  110   b  of the upper plate  110  and the upper surface  130   u  of the lower plate  130 .  
         [0039]     Also, the strap holding portion  120  preferably has an interim portion preset to a U shape between the upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130  for providing a space when the upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130  are connected together. The U shape also allows the connecting string  55  to be easily positioned on the strap holding portion  120  and to be easily removed after passing through the inserting hole  5  of the portable device  2  due to a gap between the strap holding portion  120  and the connecting string  55 .  
         [0040]     The fixation guider  100  for the strap  50  is removed after the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  is passed through the inserting hole  5 . In order to readily remove the fixation guider  100 , a parting notch  122  can be formed on a portion of the strap holding portion  120 . That is, the fixation guider  100  for the strap  50  can be readily removed by twisting the strap holding portion  120  since the notch  122  can be easily broken if a small torque is applied to the fixation guider  100 . Instead of providing such a parting notch, the fixation guider of the invention may have other configurations which can be easily removed from the strap, or otherwise can provide suitable means for facilitating removal of the fixation guider from the strap.  
         [0041]     The portable device  2  as depicted in  FIG. 3  can be a camera, for example. As the size of a camera becomes smaller, the size of the inserting hole  5  also becomes smaller. However, the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  can be readily passed through the inserting hole  5  due to the use of the fixation guider  100  of the invention.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 5A through 5C , a method of inserting the strap  50  into the portable device using the fixation guider  100  will be described.  
         [0043]     To insert the strap  50  into the portable device, first, the upper plate  110  and the lower plate  130  of the fixation guider  100 , with the strap  50 , attached within the strap holding portion  120 , are inserted into the inserting hole  5 . Since the strap holding portion  120  holds the connecting string  55  of the strap  50 , the connecting string  55  follows readily into the inserting hole  5  with the aid of the fixation guider  100 .  
         [0044]     When a suitable force is applied to the fixation guider  100  in a direction toward the inserting hole  5 , a portion of the fixation guider  100  passes through the inserting hole  5  and comes out along the strap path P between the inserting hole  5  and the supporting rod  6 .  
         [0045]     At this time, as depicted in  FIG. 5B , the fixation guider  100  is pulled using a hand, and the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  coupled with the fixation guider  100  exits the inserting hole  5  along the strap path P as depicted in  FIG. 5C .  
         [0046]     Then, the opposite end of the hanging string  52  is passed through a loop formed at the exited end of the connecting string  55  (see  FIG. 5D ), and the connecting string  55  is pulled and fastened to the supporting rod  6 . Accordingly, the strap  50  and the portable device  2  are readily coupled with the aid of the fixation guider of the invention. The fixation guider  100  of the strap  50  can be removed from the connecting string  55  by applying a twisting force to the notch  122  formed in the fixation guider  100  or by cutting the fixation guider  100  using a cutting device.  
         [0047]     With reference to  FIG. 6 , alternative embodiments of the fixation guider of the invention are described herein. The fixation guider can be in form of a projection member  101  with string  160  at least partially twisted to form a suitable guide structure. As shown, projection member  101  forms a strap holding portion  120  by the string  160  for holding the strap  50 .  
         [0048]     The fixation guide (i.e., projection member  101 ) can be passed through a strap path P formed about the inserting hole  5  and the supporting rod  6  which crosses the inserting hole. The user then pulls the fixation guider  101  from the outside. Thus, the connecting string  55  of the strap  50  coupled with the fixation guider  101  can be passed through the inserting hole  5  in a manner similar to that described above in association with  FIGS. 5A-5D .  
         [0049]     Similar to the fixation guider  100  of  FIG. 3 , the string type fixation guider  101  forms a structure having sufficient strength and elasticity to be easily inserted into the inserting hole  5  and passed along an inner circumference of the inserting hole  5  with flexibility.  
         [0050]     The fixation or insertion guider of the invention may have a different structure, construction, and configuration than those described above as long as it can provide suitable strength, resiliency, and elasticity to easily guide the insertion of the holder strap into a strap insertion hole or path of a portable device.  
         [0051]     It is envisioned that the fixation or insertion guider of the invention can be provided to the customers of such a portable device along with the strap as separate parts. Then, it is up to the customers to connect the fixation guider with the strap as shown  FIGS. 4B and 4C , for example. However, the fixation guider of the invention can be preassembled with the strap by the manufacture of the portable devices before selling or supply to the customers. Then, the customers can omit the connection process of the two parts before fixing to the portable device.  
         [0052]     The use of a fixation guider for a strap according to the present invention allows simple coupling of the strap to a portable device since the fixation guider for the portable device guides the strap so that it can be easily inserted into and pass through an insertion hole of the portable device.  
         [0053]     Moreover, such a fixation guider for the strap allows coupling of the strap to the portable device without using a sharp pin or special tools, thereby securing a safety.  
         [0054]     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.