Abstract:
A belt clip is provided that is adapted for interconnection to a device for selectively securing an electronic device such as a cellular telephone or Personal Digital Assistant.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/441,928, filed May 19, 2003, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/163,110, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D478,418, filed Jun. 26, 2002, both which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to selectively attachable holders designed for interconnection to a belt or pocket, and more specifically, a molded belt clip and fastener for selectively holding a cellular phone or other device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Cellular telephones, pagers, family radios, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other similar electronic devices have become increasingly popular, with many people carrying these devices on their belts or a pocket. The inevitable advances in technology will surely bring about new items that users will want to carry on their belts so that they are easily accessible.  
         [0004]     Various means of clipping small items to a user&#39;s belt have been in use for many years. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,115, assigned to the cell phone manufacturer NOKIA®, teaches a carrying device that employs a hand-operated slide which includes an element to deflect a spring to release a lock. The device employs a button which is sewn on a case that the phone slips into. The other portion of the holding device is clipped to the user&#39;s belt and employs a locking feature. The user inserts the button into the lock which allows for storage or hands-free use. To disengage the cell phone from the holding device, the user must release a locking mechanism. These types of locks have the disadvantage of being made from many parts which can be time consuming to manufacture due to the extensive assembly required, and thus expensive.  
         [0005]     The traditional lock release can be inadvertently activated causing the item to become dislodged and possibly damaged in a fall. Also, failure of these types of mechanisms may happen fairly quickly. Failure of the locking spring and the clip housing are common, which will cause the cell phone to become dislodged from the locking mechanism and possibly damaged in a fall.  
         [0006]     Separable fasteners with a single piece locking feature are also known in the art. For example, the MOD-U-LOCK® attachment system built by the National Molding Corporation and sold commercially by DURAFLEX® is a fastener which utilizes the elastic properties of plastic to lock a button into place. The locking portion includes a flexible tab with a locking lip and a pocket to receive a button, and is released by applying finger pressure against an upper portion of the tab. However, these fasteners are sewn into existing materials, and provide no means for removable interconnection to a belt, pocket, or other object.  
         [0007]     Another drawback of the separable fasteners is that they have limited applications outside use with soft compliant items. When a user applies pressure to a tab, it is deflected to achieve a sufficient gap so that a button, which is interconnected to a device, can be easily slipped into and out of the locking pocket without interference with the locking lip on the tab. In current low-profile lock designs, a deflected tab will come in contact with the item the lock is attached to. If the lock is attached to a compliant item, a nylon bag for example, pressure from the tab will deflect the item and a sufficient gap will be supplied. If the item to which the locking portion of the separable fastener is not compliant, a deflected tab may not be able to provide a sufficient gap for the insertion of a button. Fasteners in use today are low profile, and as such lack a sufficient gap when deflected to be used on non-compliant materials.  
         [0008]     There is thus a significant need for a one-piece integrally molded interconnection system which can be selectively attached to a belt or pocket and which comprises a locking mechanism which selectively secures a cellular phone, radio, or PDA. There is a further need for a simplistic interconnection system which requires no assembly, is durable, and can be used for a multitude of applications.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a detachable fastener that attaches to a user&#39;s belt and selectively secures an electronic device, while eliminating post-manufacturing steps of assembly and the costs associated therewith. Thus, the detachable fastener of the present invention does not employ springs or other means to disengage the lock, since the resilient properties of the molded plastic perform the required function. By attaching a belt clip of the present design the same functionality of a spring actuated belt clip can be achieved, without the numerous components and costs associated therein.  
         [0010]     It is another aspect of the present invention that the single piece design be light, strong, and less susceptible to breakage and jamming due to the reduction of movable parts. Also, the single piece design will have no metal parts which could be prone to corrosion and tend to activate metal detectors. Due to the single piece design and the elimination of post manufacturing steps, significant time and expenses can be saved.  
         [0011]     It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a selectable fastener which has a multitude of possible designs, and which can readably changed with a revision of the mold. Thus, the shape and design of the clip can be changed easily, as well as the color. In addition, the clip can be molded with flat areas for the attachment of company logos or other advertisements, or the desired indicia can be etched or molded directly onto the clip.  
         [0012]     It is another aspect of the present invention that a portion of the separable lock have a button which interfaces with the locking portion of the fastener by sliding into a pocket. This button can be selectively attached to any number of electronic devices, tools, or carrying pouches, such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, MP3 player, CD player, diagnostic device, radio, tape cassette player, health monitor, hammer, tape measure, inventory device, water bottle, flashlight, gun holster, pouch, hand cuff holder, knife case, and time piece (hereafter “electronic device”). The attachment of the button to the electronic device depends on the application, but the button may be sewn, glued, integrally molded, screwed, riveted, clipped, taped, or tied to the item, as appreciated by one skilled in the art. Finally, items of the same general size may fit into the same lock depending on the shape of the interface portion of the lock and interconnecting button.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the present invention, a belt clip is integrally interconnected to the locking portion of the separable fastener, and is joined by a thinner, flexible section of plastic. By squeezing together the finger and thumb tabs on the clip and lock, the thinner section of plastic will resiliently deflect, thereby allowing removable attachment to a user&#39;s belt. The lock portion will similarly use the same materials, and the tab attached to the locking portion may be easily deflected to allow insertion and removal of the button that is attached to the electronic device.  
         [0014]     In another aspect of the present invention, the locking portion of the integral assembly is attached to the belt clip via a spring and pin combination, and thus does not utilize the one-piece integral mold discussed above, but is still simplistic in design, simplistic to manufacture, and cost effective.  
         [0015]     It is another aspect of the present invention that the holder may be used to carry larger items that, due to their shape and/or size, a user would find difficult to disengage the lock on the clip. In this embodiment, the locking portion would employ a pocket, but no movable tab. In contrast, the locking portion is equipped with a small protrusion which in turn interfaces with a tab on the button. Disengagement is achieved by flexing the tab toward the item, thereby releasing the interface. In addition, the connection between the clip may not have a reduced thickness, but rather will have the same dimensions as the joined pieces to increase the strength of the holder to accommodate heavier items.  
         [0016]     In each of the above mentioned aspects of the invention, a button that is selectively interconnected to the electronic device will be used. The interface portion of the button will dictate the mobility of the item when it is installed in the lock&#39;s pocket and engaged in a locked position. For example, a round interface will allow the item to rotate, whereas a square interface will constrain the item to present rotation, while an interface which is notched will allow the user to set a desired rotation angle in a preferred position of use.  
         [0017]     It is another aspect of the present invention that there is a sufficient gap integrated into the locking portion of the integral assembly such that there is sufficient space for the tab on the lock to be deflected. Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when incorporated with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0018]     Thus, in one aspect of the present invention a one-piece carrier adapted for interconnection to a belt or other object is provided comprising:  
         [0019]     a belt clip having an upper end, a lower end, an internal surface, and an external surface;  
         [0020]     a locking portion having an upper end, a lower end, and a locking pocket positioned there between;  
         [0021]     a resilient interconnection means operably connecting said upper end of said belt clip portion and said locking portion, wherein said lower end of said belt clip portion and said locking portion can be selectively opened for interconnection to a belt or other object. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a first embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a left elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation and a plan view of a square engagement button used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation and a plan view of a round engagement button used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation and a plan view of a notched engagement button used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a left elevation view of the button attached to an electronic device and a method of insertion into the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a left elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  interconnected to a belt and the electronic device selectively secured thereto;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the invention shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  is a left elevation view of the invention shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the invention shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the invention shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 15  is a left elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 16  is a rear elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 17  is a left elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 18  is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 19  is a front elevation view of a button with an extended tab;  
         [0041]      FIG. 20  is a right elevation view of the button with extended tab shown in  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 21  is a left elevation view of the button with an extended tab attached to an item and the method of insertion into the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 22  is a left elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16  interconnected to a user&#39;s belt and an electronic device selectively secured thereto;  
         [0044]      FIG. 23  is a rear elevation view of an alternative embodiment;  
         [0045]      FIG. 24  is a left elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 25  is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 26  is a front elevation view of a resilient engagement button;  
         [0048]      FIG. 27  is a right section view of a resilient engagement button;  
         [0049]      FIG. 28  is a top plan view of a resilient engagement button;  
         [0050]      FIG. 29  is a rear elevation view that shows an example of a hard stop;  
         [0051]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener;  
         [0052]      FIG. 31  is a front elevation view of the integral belt clip and locking fastener shown in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0053]      FIG. 32  is a left elevation view of the integral belt clip and locking fastener shown in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0054]      FIG. 33  is a right elevation view of the integral belt clip and locking fastener shown in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0055]      FIG. 34  is a bottom plan view of the integral belt clip and locking fastener shown in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 35  is a top plan view of the integral belt clip and locking fastener shown in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0057]      FIG. 36  is a rear elevation view of the integral belt clip and locking fastener shown in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0058]      FIG. 37  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener;  
         [0059]      FIG. 38  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener;  
         [0060]      FIG. 39  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener;  
         [0061]      FIG. 40  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener; and  
         [0062]      FIG. 41  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of an integral belt clip and locking fastener. 
     
    
       [0063]     To provide clarity to the various components found in the drawings, and the numbering of the various components provided herein:  
         [0064]     Component 
     1  Hard Stop      2  Extended Tab      3  Locking Protrusion      4  Extended tab/Protrusion interface location      5  User      7  Pin      10  Belt clip portion      11  Hook      12  Belt Clip Finger Grip      12 A Belt Clip Finger Grip      12 B Belt Clip Finger Grip      13  Locking Portion Finger Grip      14  Open molding area      15  Tab      16  Locking Lip      17  Front wall of locking pocket      17 A Front wall of locking pocket (Looking from the belt clip)      18  Back wall of locking pocket      18 A Back wall of locking pocket (Looking from the belt clip)      19  Locking Pocket      21  Open molding space      22  Side pocket walls      30  Lock portion      31  Web      32  Belt clip/Lock portion interface      36  Sleeve      40  Button      41  Button attachment surface      42  Button/Locking pocket interface      43  Button notches      44  Stitch holes      45  Rivet hole      46  Stem      50  Electronic Device or other item      60  Integral Belt Clip and Holder      70  Gap      71  Back surface of locking portion      74  Appendage    
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0103]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown herein. In general, a one- piece integral belt clip holder  60  is a union of a belt clip  10  and a locking portion  30  of a separable fastener which are attached by a web  31  of plastic or other material with resilient properties such as rubber, etc. The web  31  is resilient to allow for attachment to a belt when pressure is applied to the finger grip on the clip portion  12  and the finger grip on the lock portion  13 . Alternatively, the lower portions of the belt clip  10  and the locking portion  30  may be pulled apart to allow for selective interconnection to a belt or other object. The lock portion  30  employs a flexible plastic tab  15  with a lip  16  that secures a button and prevents upward movement and disengagement from the lock portion  30 . Alternatively, other types of residual materials commonly known in the art may be used, including rubber, polyethylene, etc. A locking pocket  19  constrains the non-locking portion of the separable fastener, and consists of a front wall  17 , a back wall  18 , and side pocket walls  22 . When the tab  15  is flexed, the non-locking portion remains supported in the pocket and is easily disengaged. The belt clip portion  10  may be equipped with a hook  11  which will help maintain the unit on the user&#39;s belt. Both portions of the belt clip  10  and the locking portion  30  of the separable fastener are integrally molded with open molded spaces  14  &amp;  21  which eliminates assembly, inherent labor costs, and the expenses related thereto.  
         [0104]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7  and  FIGS. 26 -27 , a non-locking portion of the separable fastener is shown. This item is referred to herein as a button  40 , and is generally comprised of a plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. The button&#39;s attachment surface  41  is connected to the pocket interface  42  by a stem  46  such that the button  40  is easily slipped into the pocket of the lock. In one embodiment, the interconnecting stem  46  and/or the attachment area  41  may be made of rubber or other resilient material capable of deflection which will decrease the leverage on the button and electronic device interface when a force is applied to a portion of the electronic device. The stem  46  is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, a rectangularly shaped stem  46  can be used which would provide resiliency in one direction and greater stiffness in the others. Also, at the button to electronic device interface, a resilient material will provide a better bond between the button attachment surface  41  and the electronic device because the resilient material will be capable of deflection and conformance to the electronic device that may have a non-planar shape. The interface portion  42  dictates the mobility of the item when it is locked in the pocket. More specifically, a square shape will give a user substantially no rotation, while a round button shape will allow for free rotation. Alternatively in one embodiment, notches  43  may be employed to provide a variety of rotational positions depending on the preferred application.  
         [0105]     The button  40  is selectively interconnected to an electronic device or an electronic device carrying pouch by many means including sewn, glued, integrally molded, clipped, screwed, riveted, taped, or tied to the electronic device. The button  40  may further employ a rivet hole  45  or stitching holes  44  to facilitate interconnection with an electronic device or electronic device carrying pouch.  
         [0106]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the locking function of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated herein. More specifically, the button  40  is shown interconnected to the electronic device  50 , while the integral belt clip and holder  60  is shown with a tab  15  in the locked position. To lock the electronic device  50  into place, in one embodiment the user applies pressure to the tab  15  in the direction of the clip portion  10  of the integral assembly  60 . Alternatively embodiments may employ release mechanisms which are pushed in different directions of release. After pressure is applied to the tab  15 , there is an unobstructed path for the button  40  to engage the pocket  19 . That is, the button interface  42  can be easily guided downward into the lock pocket  19 . When the user releases the pressure on the tab  15  the locking portion of the tab  16  will prevent the button interface  42  from traveling upward. Thus, the electronic device  50  is released by the application of pressure to the tab  15  towards the clip portion  10  of the integral assembly  60  thereby deflecting the tab, separating the lock  16  and button interface  42 , and providing an unobstructed path in which the electronic device can travel in an upward direction. The requisite pressure that deflects the tab  15  prior to the introduction of the button interface  42  into the pocket  19  can be supplied by the interface  42  itself. More specifically, the user can initiate the downward motion of the electronic device  50  into the pocket  19  without touching the tab  15 . Thus, the contact of the interface  42  with the tab  15 , along with the downward force supplied by the user, will sufficiently deflect the tab  15  so that the interface  42  will engage the pocket  19 .  
         [0107]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the button  40  is shown interconnected to the electronic device  50 , while the belt clip  10  is attached to the user&#39;s  5  belt. The tab  15  of the lock  30  has been flexed towards the user  5 , while the button interface has been seated in the pocket  19 , and the tab  15  has been released. Thus, the button has been prevented from upward motion by the lock  16 .  
         [0108]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-14 , a second embodiment of the present intention is shown herein. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , but the single piece molding is modified to simplify manufacturing because “side pulls” on the mold are not required. In some molding processes side pulls are required to form holes or cavities into the final product. By deleting the need for side pulls, an integral design is moldable using a two-piece mold construction, and more clips can be made using a single mold. The requirement of side pulls adds complexity and cost to the molding operation. More specifically, the belt clip portion  10  is constructed slightly longer than the locking portion  30 . In addition, the belt clip finger grip is split into two pieces  12 A &amp;  12 B.  
         [0109]     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a third embodiment of the present invention is shown herein that employs a pin  7  and spring mechanism to connect the locking  30  and clip  10  portions of the unit. More specifically, the pressure on the finger grips  12  &amp;  13  is reduced by the use of a pin and spring such that selective interconnection to a user&#39;s belt or other object is more easily performed.  
         [0110]     Referring now to  FIGS. 16-20 , a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown herein which is more durable and specifically designed for larger items such as radios, CD players, PDAs, inventory devices, water bottles, etc. In this embodiment of the present invention, the locking feature  3  on the integral assembly  60  is not attached to a flexible tab. Instead, the locking portion  30  employs a small protrusion  3 , which interfaces with a flexible tab  2  on the button  40  when the button is seated in the pocket  19  and the tab  2  is released. Further, the halves are connected by a thicker interface  32  which increases the strength of the unit.  
         [0111]     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , the locking function of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated herein. More specifically, the button  40  is shown interconnected to a sleeve  36  on a larger device  50 , while the integral belt clip and holder  60  is shown with a stationary locking protrusion  3 . The sleeve  36  may be used to selectively secure the larger device  50  to the button  40  if attachment locations on the item  50  are not feasible. To lock the device into place the user applies pressure to the tab  2  on the button  40  in the direction of the device  50 . After pressure is applied to the tab  15  there is an unobstructed path for the button  40  to engage the pocket  19 , that is, the button interface  42  can be easily guided downward into the lock pocket  19 . When the user releases the pressure on the tab  2 , the locking portion of the integral assembly  3  will prevent the button interface  42  from traveling upward because a portion of the tab  2  will interface with the lock  3 . The item is released by the application of pressure to the tab  2  towards the device  50  thereby deflecting the tab, separating the lock  3  and the tab interface  4 , and providing an unobstructed path in which the device can be moved upward.  
         [0112]     The requisite pressure that deflects the tab  2  prior to the introduction of the button interface  42  into the pocket  19  can be supplied by the interface  4  itself. More specifically, the user can initiate the downward motion of the device into the pocket without touching the tab  2 . The contact of the interface  4  with the lock  3 , along with the downward force supplied by the user, will sufficiently deflect the tab  2  so that the button interface  42  will be able to be seated into the pocket  19 .  
         [0113]     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , the button  40  is shown interconnected to the larger device  50 , while the belt clip  10  is attached to the user&#39;s  5  belt. The tab  2  of the button  40  has been flexed towards the device  50 , the button interface has been seated in the pocket  19 , the tab  2  has been released, and the button has been prevented from upward motion by the contact of the interface  4  with the lock  3 .  
         [0114]     Referring now to  FIGS. 23-25 , a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown that employs a thick connection interface  32 , but is substantially similar to the first two embodiment described with respect to some aspects of the locking feature. In order for any locking mechanism to work properly, a gap  70  must be integrated into the locking portion  30  of the integral design to allow unrestricted travel of the locking tab  15 . This gap  70  will extend from the back surface of the locking portion  71  to the back wall of the locking pocket  18 A. When the user deflects the tab  15 , the gap  70  will provide sufficient deflection of the tab  15  so that the button  40  will not come in contact with the locking lip  16  when a user inserts and removes a device from the integral assembly  60 . The greater the gap  70 , the easier and quicker the button can be inserted and released from the pocket and lock.  
         [0115]     Referring now to  FIG. 29 , a “hard stop” is shown. As used herein, a hard stop  1  is any type of backing material, detent, or other mechanism which prevents the tab  15  from extending or deflecting past a predetermined position. The predetermined position may be dictated by the maximum deflection the tab  15  can move without incurring damage. To engage and disengage a button from the integral assembly  60 , a user must depress the tab  15  toward the belt clip  10  of the integral assembly. Extreme deflections of the tab  15  may fatigue the material such that it will be permanently deformed or break. In order to prevent this detrimental effect, the hard stop  1  may be added to the belt clip portion  10  of the integral assembly  60 . When a user applies pressure on the tab  15  towards the belt clip portion  10 , the tab  15  will deflect enough for engagement or disengagement of a button, but the tab  15  will be stopped from further deflection when it comes in contact with the hard stop  1 . Preferably, the hard stop  1  is molded integrally with the belt clip  10 .  
         [0116]     Further, the hard stop  1  may be added to or molded onto the tab  15  of the locking portion  30  of the integral assembly  60  as opposed to the belt clip  10 , as discussed above. When a user applies pressure on the tab  15  towards the belt clip portion  10 , the tab  15  will deflect enough for engagement or disengagement of a button, but the tab  15  will be stopped from further deflection when the hard stop  1  on the tab  15  comes in contact with the belt clip portion  10 .  
         [0117]      FIGS. 30-41  show views of various other embodiments of the present invention that employ a belt clip  10  integrated with a locking mechanism  30 . In addition, these figures further illustrate an extended belt clip  10  that is positioned away from the bottom of the locking mechanism  30 . Furthermore, an appendage  74  is provided on the end of the belt clip  10 .  
         [0118]     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims that follow.