Abstract:
An electronic device holder having a retention member for retaining an electronic device, such as an MP3 player, preferably an Apple® IPod nano having a multi-touch color screen, and a strap or shank attached to the retention member to allow fastening to an object, such as a user&#39;s wrist or a chain, is disclosed. The device may be secured by friction fitting into a recessed area having two ridges to engage the device along two edges. The device may be inserted by sliding or snap fitting into the recessed area. An opening along the back of the recessed area allows the device to be pushed laterally or vertically from the retention member. Alternatively, the retention member may be a two-piece frame which partially encloses the device. The frame pieces affix to either a wristband strap or a carabiner clip shank as they are secured to one another.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the Jan. 5, 2011 filing priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/429,917, titled “Wristband,” and hereby incorporates the same by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present device relates to a holder for an electronic device. Particularly, the device relates to a wristband and a clip or lock, each of which retains the electronic device within a secure area. Most particularly, the present device relates to a wristband and a clip or lock for securing an MP 3  player or the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wristwatches are becoming more and more scarce it seems, as people want more than time related features from their electronic devices. It isn&#39;t enough that a watch can tell time in different countries or languages. It isn&#39;t enough that a watch can act as an alarm, stop watch and timer, with the push of any number of different bezel-mounted buttons. With the advent of MP 3  players, smart phones, smart pads and other wireless computing devices, the time for Dad&#39;s (or Grandpa&#39;s) multi-function wristwatch has passed. 
         [0004]    People want multi-touch control. They want game, personal, and productivity applications at their fingertips. They want music with download capabilities. However, they also want elegance to go with all that functionality. The ability to remain feminine or masculine and stylish is a need that has gone unappreciated by those designers attempting to take advantage of the popularity of devices such as the Apple® IPod nano MP3 player. Belt clips, pocket clips and arm bands are neither elegant nor stylish, and are inconvenient to use because they require regular attachment and detachment. 
         [0005]    Further, people want more from their electronic devices, such as MP3 players. It isn&#39;t enough to provide a housing with a clip for attaching to an article of clothing. The device must be capable of integration into a user&#39;s particular lifestyle, not just as a running/walking/exercise accessory. As the electronic device manufactures fail to fill this need, a holder for such devices becomes more imperative. 
         [0006]    The present device solves these and other problems associated with prior art devices. The present device provides a beautifully aesthetic and completely functional means for carrying an MP3 player, such as the Apple® IPod nano, while allowing the user to have ready access to all the features of the player without the need for detaching and reattaching associated with most devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    There is disclosed herein an improved holder for carrying an electronic device, such as an MP3 player (e.g., the Apple® IPod nano), which avoids many of the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
         [0008]    Generally speaking, the holder comprises a retention member for retaining an MP3 player having a multi-touch screen, and a strap or clip attached to the retention member to allow fastening to any number of articles, including a user&#39;s wrist. The retention of the MP 3  player within the retention member may be accomplished in a variety of ways. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the holder is a wristband and the MP3 player is secured by friction fitting the player into a recessed area of the retention member. Two somewhat flexible ridges engage the player along two opposing edges. The player may be inserted through a face opening on the retention member or, alternately, the player may slide into place through a side opening. An opening on a back surface of the retention member allows the player to be pushed from the recessed area, if desired. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the holder is a wristband and the retention member is comprised of a two-piece frame which at least partially encloses the MP3 player. The frame pieces affix to a wristband strap as they are secured to one another. 
         [0011]    In still another embodiment, the holder is a lock with a two-piece retention member similar to that of the previously described embodiment. The clasp of the lock may include a carabiner clip to make frequent attachment and removal of the holder easier and quicker. 
         [0012]    These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front exploded view of an embodiment of the present device illustrating the capture and retention of an electronic device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear exploded view of the embodiment of the present device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective of another embodiment of the present device illustrating the insertion of an electronic device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  showing the wristband with the electronic device detached; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 3 , except it includes a metal-link wristband; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 3  side-by-side; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , including a seated MP 3  player; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8-12  are various views of a third embodiment of an electronic device holder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. A full video disclosure of embodiments described herein can be seen at http: //lunatik.comi, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , there is illustrated embodiments of a wristband, generally designated by the numeral  10 . The wristband  10  has a retention member  12  and a strap  14  which allows attachment of the entire device to, preferably, a user&#39;s wrist. The retention member  12  retains an electronic device, such as an MP3 player  20 , and preferably an Apple® IPod nano (6th generation) as shown, which then allows access to the functionality of the device as, for example, a wristwatch, a radio, a game console or the like. While the Apple® IPod nano is the only illustrated and the preferred electronic device for the disclosed embodiments, the wristband  10  is not limited to use with this device. It is anticipated that many other electronic devices may be readily adapted for mounting within the disclosed and claimed wristband with only slight modifications necessary. 
         [0024]    For example, mobile phones, communication devices, calculators, heart/health monitors, GPS devices, analog/digital watches and countless other electronic gadgets may be configured to be worn within wristband  10 . Only the retention member  12  need be adapted to the shape and controls of such gadgets. The retention member  12 , in different embodiments, may provide one of either a quick and temporary retention of the device  20  or a more permanent retention, as desired by the user. 
         [0025]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , the retention member  12  is preferably comprised of a two-piece frame  18 . Of course, while frames of more complex configurations may be used, the two-piece frame  18  illustrated provides a secure retention of the electronic device  20  with minimal obscuring of the user screen and button controls. The illustrated two-piece frame  18  is preferably forged from aerospace grade aluminum which is machined to a final form on a CNC machine. Of course, other materials and methods may provide suitable results for some applications. The preferred machined frame members have appropriate openings to provide access to both the screen, for viewing and touch-screen interface, and button controls. However, the aluminum components also encase the device  20  sufficiently to provide protection of the same screen and button controls, and protection against accidental detachment of the electronic device  20  as well. 
         [0026]    The two frame members  18  a, b can be connected to one another after being placed about the player  20  by two pair of suitable threaded pins  22 , as shown. The threaded pins  22  not only connect the two frame members  18  a, b together, but also pass through the strap ends to attach these to the retention member  12  as well. A unique aspect of the two-piece frame  18 , as discernable in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is that the two halves are identical. That is, the right half  18   a  is the same as the left half  18   b,  only rotated 180°. By using two identical pieces, much time and cost is saved in both manufacture and assembly of the retention member  12  in this embodiment. Further, in the event of loss or damage to one side, replacement can be made without having to “orphan” a mating side and without having to replace an undamaged or remaining side. The resulting retention member  12  is symmetrical top-to-bottom, as well as side-to-side. 
         [0027]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the retention member  12  is a simpler component, preferably made from a reinforced polycarbonate material. The retention member  12  is preferably comprised of a recessed area  26  defined by opposing surfaces of the retention member  12  and situated between two somewhat flexible ridges  16 . The ridges  16  are contoured so as to engage the top and bottom sides of the electronic device  20 , as shown. 
         [0028]    The device  20  may be inserted into the recessed area  26  of the retention member in one of at least two ways. First, one of either the top or bottom edge of the device  20  is positioned in the recessed area  26  against one of the ridges  16 . Then, the opposite end of the device  20  is pivoted down into the recessed area  26  until the edge snaps into place against the other ridge  16 . Second, the device  20  can be slid from the side of the retention member  12  under the ridges  16  until it is properly seated in the recessed area  26 . Again, the device  20  is frictionally held in place. An opening  28  in a back surface of the recessed area  26  of the retention member  12  allows the user to push the device  20  from the recessed area  26  when it is desired to remove the device  20 . The opening  28  may also align with a product logo on the device  20 , so as to clearly display the logo when the wristband  10  is not being worn. Otherwise, the two ridges  16  secure and retain the device  20  within the retention member  12 . 
         [0029]    The strap  14  in two of the disclosed embodiments ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is preferably manufactured from a soft, silicone rubber material to provide the proper strength, comfort and look of a sporty or casual watchband. Again, other materials, such as polymers, leathers, metals, synthetic fabrics and the like, as well as alternate colors and styles may be used for different applications and designs. The strap  14  is also preferably a two-piece construction for adjustability, with a clasp  30  for connecting the two parts about a user&#39;s wrist. The clasp  30  is preferably made from forged, stainless steel. 
         [0030]    The strap  14  of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  is a more elegant and traditional watchband look. It is comprised of aluminum links connected together via a butterfly clasp  30 . Again, the specific material (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and finish of the metal-link band may be altered for different applications and designs. Certainly other styles for strap  14  not specifically mentioned herein are possible. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-12 , there is illustrated an embodiment of the electronic device holder as a lock and/or clip, which is generally designated by the numeral  110 . The lock  110  has a retention member  112  and a generally U-shaped shank  114  which allows attachment of the entire device to, for example, a chain, a locker, a backpack or the like. Much like the watchband embodiments, the retention member  112  retains an electronic device, such as an MP3 player  20 , and preferably an Apple® IPod nano (6th generation) as shown, which then allows access to the functionality of the device as, for example, a wristwatch, a radio, a game console or the like. While the Apple® IPod nano is the only illustrated and the preferred electronic device for the disclosed embodiments, the lock  110  is not limited to use with this device. It is anticipated that many other electronic devices may be readily adapted for mounting within the disclosed and claimed lock with only slight modifications necessary. 
         [0032]    The retention member  112  of the lock  110  is preferably comprised of a two-piece frame  118 . Of course, while frames of more complex configurations may be used, the two-piece frame  118  illustrated provides a secure retention of the electronic device  20  with minimal obscuring of the user screen and button controls. The illustrated two-piece frame  118  is preferably forged from aerospace grade aluminum which is machined to a final form on a CNC machine. Of course, other materials and methods may provide suitable results for some applications. The preferred machined frame members have appropriate openings to provide access to both the screen, for viewing and touch-screen interface, and button controls. However, the aluminum components also encase the device  20  sufficiently to provide protection of the same screen and button controls, and protection against accidental detachment of the electronic device  20  as well. The two frame members  118  a, b can be connected to one another after being placed about the player  20  by two suitable threaded pins  122 , as shown. 
         [0033]    The U-shaped shank  114 , also preferably forged from aerospace grade aluminum, includes a carabiner clip  115  at one end. The two ends of the shank  114  have threaded openings which allow the pins  122  to secure each end of the shank to the retention member  112 . However, the design, shape and material of the shank  114  may be changed to suit specific applications. 
         [0034]    A unique aspect of the two-piece frame  118 , as discernable in  FIG. 8 , is that the two halves are identical. That is, the top half  118   a  is the same as the bottom half  118   b,  only rotated 180°. By using two identical pieces, much time and cost is saved in both manufacture and assembly of the retention member  112  in this embodiment. Further, in the event of loss or damage to one side, replacement can be made without having to “orphan” a mating side and without having to replace an undamaged or remaining side. The resulting retention member  112  is symmetrical top-to-bottom, as well as side-to-side. 
         [0035]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.