Abstract:
A device for carrying portable equipment which includes a band configured to be worn on the limb of a person and to allow for the flow of air between the band and the limb of a person, and a pair of adjustable straps, one of each of the pair of adjustable straps being attached to opposite ends of the band. The device may be adapted to include a container integrally formed with the band. The device may also include a container with a sealable cover and a portable electronic device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular telephone, integrally formed with the band.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a device for carrying portable equipment and particularly to a device for carrying personal equipment and incorporating personal electronic devices.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Portable communication devices, such as cellular telephones, portable audio and video devices and personal digital assistants have become increasingly an inseparable part of daily life. Consequently, there is a need for apparatus to securely carry these devices around and enable the user to use them while leaving his hands free.  
           [0003]    Containers for housing valuables and small articles are known as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,136, 4,913,326 and 6,321,957. A specifically designed wrist watch telephone is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,366.  
           [0004]    However, prior art devices tend to be uncomfortable and restrictive for the user, lack flexibility and not adapted for outdoor use including sporting activities and field workers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention relates to a device for protecting valuables which can be worn on a person&#39;s arm, for example. In a further embodiment of the invention, the device may incorporate a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone or a personal digital assistant.  
           [0006]    There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a device, which includes a band configured to be worn on the limb of a person and to allow for the flow of air between the band and the limb of a person, and a pair of adjustable straps, one of each of the pair of adjustable straps being attached to opposite ends of the band.  
           [0007]    Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the device may further include a container integrally formed with the band. The device may also include a sealable cover suitably attached to the container. The sealable cover may be transparent.  
           [0008]    Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the band, the cover and container may be configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant. The container may include a power source, such as a battery and an illumination source.  
           [0009]    In addition, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the device may further include a portable electronic device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular telephone, integrally formed with the band.  
           [0010]    Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device may include a user interface and/or a wireless transmitter.  
           [0011]    Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes electronic circuitry in communication with the portable electronic device, and other components including a display screen, a video camera, input/output (I/O) ports, a portable data storage device and a loudspeaker in communication with the portable electronic device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a band, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention configured to incorporate a container;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the band of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the band of FIG. 1 together with a holding device, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the band of FIG. 1 in a closed position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a portable electronic device integrally formed with a band of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the band of FIG. 5; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the portable electronic device of FIG. 5 together with a container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a band, generally designated  10 , constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the band  10 . The band  10  is configured to be worn on the limb of a person such as an arm or leg, for example. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the band  10  may be configured to be worn on any part of a person&#39;s body.  
         [0021]    The band  10  comprises a pair of straps  12  attached at each end of the band  10 . Each pair of straps may be closed together, by any suitable means such as Velcro™ or buckle, for example. On the underside  14  of the band  10 , a plurality of projections  16  are integrally formed with the band. The projections  16 , shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, form air canals  18  which allow a flow of air to pass between the projections  16  and thus enable the wearer to comfortably wear the band  10  without undue sweating, for example.  
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, band  10  is shown further comprising a container  32  integrally formed with band  10 . The band  10  and the integral container  32  may be molded or extruded as an unitary element, for example. A cover  34  may be suitably attached (by hinges, for example) to the container  32 . The cover  34  may be configured so as to effectively seal the container  32  against external elements, such as water and sea-water, for example. Furthermore, the cover  34  may be transparent so that the contents of the container are clearly visible without having to open the cover. In addition, the container  32  and cover  34  may be configured to be shock resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.  
         [0023]    In a further embodiment of the invention, a power source  36 , such as battery, for example, may be installed within the container  32  and a light source  38  enabling the user to view the container  32  in the dark.  
         [0024]    In a further embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, a holding device  40  may be suitably attached to the container  32 . Holding device, which may be molded to one side of container  32 , may comprise a gripping element  42  which is configured to restrainingly grip an object  44 , such as a mobile or cellular telephone or a portable electronic device such as a hand-held computer or portable audi0 device such as a MP3 player, for example. By placing the device in the gripping element  42 , the user has both hands free to handle other devices and use the device without having to hold it as well.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the band of FIG. 1 in a closed position.  
         [0026]    Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a schematic illustration of a band, generally designated  50 , constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention.  
         [0027]    Band  50  is similar to band  10 , described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1. Similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals and will not be described further.  
         [0028]    Band  50  comprises a pair of straps  12  attached at each end of the band  50 . A plurality of projections  16  are integrally formed on the base of the band  50 . Band  50  further comprises a portable electronic device  52  integrally formed with band  50 . The portable electronic device  52  may include a personal digital assistant (PDA). Alternatively, a mobile or cellular telephone  53  may be integrated with the band  50 . A user may then effectively wear the portable electronic device  52  or telephone, leaving the user&#39;s hands free for other purposes.  
         [0029]    The portable electronic device  52  (FIG. 5) may comprise, inter alia, a user interface including an alphanumeric keyboard  54 , designated keys  56  such as ‘send’ and ‘mail’ and a power source (not shown), such as a battery,  
         [0030]    The portable electronic device  52  may further comprise a wireless transmitter  60  and a loudspeaker  62  within a cover  64 .  
         [0031]    The cover  64  may be suitably attached to the portable electronic device  52 . The cover  64  may be configured so as to effectively seal the portable electronic device  52  against external elements, similar to cover  34  described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 2. such as water and sea-water, for example. Furthermore, the cover  64  may be transparent so that the contents of the container are clearly visible without having to open the cover. In addition, the band  50  and cover  64  may be configured to be resistant to shock, pressure and ultra-violet (UV).  
         [0032]    The cover  64  may be configured to include a display screen  66  and a video camera  68  on the internal face of the cover  64 . The screen may be any suitable display screen, known in the art, such as liquid crystal display (LCD). The video camera  68  may be any suitable camera, known in the art.  
         [0033]    The various components may be connected by suitable electronic circuitry in communication therewith.  
         [0034]    It will be appreciated by persons knowledgeable in the art that the portable electronic device  52  is not restricted to the example described and may be configured to include any internal or external device which is compatible with the portable electronic device  52 . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, which is a side elevational view of FIG. 5, the portable electronic device  52  may be configured with input/output (I/O) ports  70  and optical or infrared port  72  so as to directly communicate with other devices. Furthermore, the portable electronic device  52  may be in communication with a portable data storage device, such as a memory card, for example.  
         [0035]    In a further embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, a container  80  may be suitably attached, molded or integrally formed with band  50  and portable electronic device  52  of FIG. 5.  
         [0036]    Container  80  may be similar to integral container  32 , described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1, having a cover  82  configured to effectively seal the container  80  against external elements. Furthermore, a power source, such as battery, for example, may be installed within the container  80  together with a light source  38 .  
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described above. For example, the band  50  of FIG. 5 may be configured so that the band comprises both a personal digital assistant (PDA)  52  in the base of the band and a cellular telephone in the cover of the band. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims that follow.