Patent Publication Number: US-8978943-B2

Title: Armband for holding an electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/849,808 filed Sep. 4, 2007, entitled “ARMBAND FOR HOLDING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an armband which is configured to hold an electronic device. 
     2. Related Art 
     Electronic devices such as portable music players, cell phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are used every day by millions of people. Though electronic devices are becoming smaller, carrying these electronic devices may still present a problem. For example, PDAs and hybrid PDA-cell phone devices are typically large and cumbersome to place in a pocket. Similarly, carrying and using a portable music player while exercising can be a challenge. 
     Existing techniques for carrying these electronic devices involve using: belt clips, necklace cases, and armbands. Belt clips are typically used for larger devices such as PDAs and hybrid PDA-cell phone devices. However, these belt clips can be bulky and cumbersome to use. Necklace cases can be used for smaller electronic devices such as portable music player, but are not practical for larger electronic devices. Armbands are typically used to carry portable music players while exercising. However, existing armbands have a number of disadvantages. More specifically, existing armbands are relatively large, do not let skin breathe through the armband, do not stretch, and become brittle as the armband ages. 
     Hence, what is needed is an apparatus to carry electronic devices without the problems described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present invention provide an armband that holds an electronic device. This armband includes a pouch with a first face and a second face; a window on the first face of the pouch; and an opening located along a first edge of the second face of the pouch, wherein the opening is configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap, wherein a proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to a second edge of the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: a plurality of holes arranged in a specified pattern; a plurality of loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to a third edge of the pouch, wherein the ring is configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells, thereby securing the armband to an arm. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes a device-securing strap coupled to the pouch, wherein the device-securing strap is configured to prevent the electronic device from slipping out of the opening of the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes a closure hook cell located on the device-securing strap. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes one or more closure cells located on the second face of the pouch, wherein the closure hook cell located on the device-securing strap is configured to couple to a closure cell on the second face of the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more closure cells are located so that the pouch can accommodate electronic devices of different sizes. 
     In some embodiments, the third edge is located opposite of the second edge. 
     In some embodiments, the specified pattern for the plurality of holes on the arm strap is configured to balance between stretchability and breathability of the arm strap. 
     In some embodiments, the specified pattern for the plurality of holes includes one or more of rows of holes, wherein holes in a given row are offset a specified distance from a centerline of holes in an adjacent row. 
     In some embodiments, the specified distance is one-half the distance between a pair of holes in the adjacent row of holes. 
     In some embodiments, adjacent holes in a row of holes are substantially equally spaced. 
     In some embodiments, adjacent holes in a row are spaced 6.7 millimeters apart as measured from a centerline of the adjacent holes. 
     In some embodiments, adjacent rows of holes are substantially equally spaced. 
     In some embodiments, adjacent rows of holes are spaced between 3.8 millimeters and 4 millimeters apart inclusive as measured from the centerlines of adjacent rows of holes. 
     In some embodiments, the diameters of the holes are substantially the same. 
     In some embodiments, the diameter of the holes is between 1.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters inclusive. 
     In some embodiments, the loop cells are oval. 
     In some embodiments, the loops cells are located on the arm strap so that the hook cell can overlap at least two adjacent loop cells. 
     In some embodiments, the window is bonded to the pouch using an adhesive, heat, and pressure. 
     In some embodiments, the window includes: a substantially transparent portion; and a substantially translucent portion. 
     In some embodiments, the substantially translucent portion of the window is formed by applying an ink to a portion of an outer surface of the window. 
     In some embodiments, the ink is formulated so that the ink provides: a frosty and translucent appearance; and a low-friction scrolling surface for a finger. 
     In some embodiments, the window includes a button area which is configured to facilitate locating a button on the electronic device. 
     In some embodiments, the button area is located within the translucent portion of the window. 
     In some embodiments, the button area protrudes out-of-plane from the outer surface of the window. 
     In some embodiments, the button area is formed using a hydroforming process which presses the window into a desired shape. 
     In some embodiments, the button area is formed after ink is applied to the window. 
     In some embodiments, the arm strap comprises a layer of spandex sandwiched between two layers of polyurethane. 
     In some embodiments, the polyurethane-spandex-polyurethane sandwich is resistant to fraying. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes a polyurethane microfiber material for an inner lining of the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the arm strap and the first face of the pouch are made from a single piece of material. 
     In some embodiments, the first face of the pouch and a second face of the pouch are bonded together along the edges of the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, a bond is created using an adhesive, heat, and pressure applied at the edges of the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the adhesive is a urethane-based adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, a hole is cut into the second face of the pouch to create the opening in the pouch, wherein the hole is located away from the edge of the second face. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes stitches at a junction of the arm strap and the pouch to reinforce the coupling between the arm strap and the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes stitches at a junction of the ring and the pouch to reinforce the coupling between the ring and the pouch. 
     In some embodiments, the armband includes a storage-mode cell located on a face of the arm strap opposite to the face of the arm strap in which the plurality of loop cells and the hook cell are located, wherein the storage-mode cell is configured so that when the arm strap is wrapped around the pouch, the hook cell can be coupled to the storage-mode cell. 
     In some embodiments, the holes are punched into the arm strap after the loop cells are coupled to the arm strap. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device can include: a music player; a mobile phone; and any other mobile electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  presents a back view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  presents a cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1C  presents a front view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1D  presents another cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  presents a view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  presents a top view of a button area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  presents a side view of a button area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  presents back view of a pouch for an armband which is holding an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  presents back view of a pouch for an armband which is holding a larger electronic device with an attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  presents a view of an arm strap for the armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  presents a view of an arm strap for the armband wherein a hook cell is coupled to a loop cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4C  presents a view of an arm strap for the armband wherein a hook cell is coupled to two loop cells in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  presents a view of an arm strap inserted into a ring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  presents a view of a hook cell on an arm strap secured to a loop cell on the arm strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  presents a view of the armband when the arm strap is wrapped around the pouch so that a hook cell on the arm strap is coupled to a storage-mode cell on the arm strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  present a number of views of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 1A  presents a back view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 1B  presents a cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.  1 C presents a front view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 1D  presents another cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The armband illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D  includes pouch  100 . In some embodiments, pouch  100  includes opening  119  along one edge of pouch  100  which can be used to insert an electronic device into pouch  100 . The electronic device can include, but is not limited to: a music player; a mobile phone; and any other mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the inner lining of pouch  100  is made from a polyurethane microfiber material. 
     In some embodiments, pouch  100  is coupled to device-securing strap  102 , which includes closure hook cell  106 . Furthermore, one or more closure cells  107  are coupled to a back face of pouch  100 . Note that although  FIG. 1A  illustrates two closure cells, any number of closure cells can be used depending on the application. Furthermore, the configuration of the closure cells can be adjusted according to a specified application (e.g., to accommodate electronic devices of varying sizes or a device that may or may not have an attached dongle). Closure hook cell  106  is configured so that device-securing strap  102  can be folded over the opening of the pouch and closure hook cell  106  can be coupled to one or more closure cells  107 . The operation of device-securing strap  102  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     Arm strap  101  is coupled to pouch  100 . In some embodiments, arm strap  101  is coupled to pouch  100  using stitches  108 . Stitches  108  provide mechanical coupling strength between arm strap  101  and pouch  100 . 
     In some embodiments, arm strap  101  includes one or more of: a plurality of holes  105 , storage-mode cell  104 , loop cells  110 , and hook cell  111 . Note that the number of loop cells is not limited to four loop cells and can generally be any number of loop cells depending on the application. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes  105  is punched through arm strap  101 . The plurality of holes  105  can be configured in a specified pattern to achieve a desired property of arm strap  101 . For example, the specified pattern can be chosen to balance between stretchability and breathability of arm strap  101 . In some embodiments, the diameters of the holes are substantially the same. In some embodiments, diameter of the holes is between 1.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters inclusive. 
     Note that the various cells used in the present invention can be Velcro® cells or any other type of fasteners. For example, loop cells  110 , storage-mode cell  104  and closure cells  107  can be fuzzy Velcro® cells, and hook cell  111  and closure hook cell  106  can be hook Velcro cells. 
     In some embodiments, the specified pattern for the plurality of holes includes one or more of rows of holes wherein holes in a given row are offset a specified distance from a centerline of holes in an adjacent row. In some embodiments, the specified distance is one-half the distance between a pair of holes in the adjacent row of holes. Adjacent holes can be equally spaced from each other or spaced so that the distance between adjacent holes follows a specified pattern. In some embodiments, adjacent holes within a row are spaced 6.7 millimeters as measured from a centerline of the adjacent holes. 
     In some embodiments, adjacent rows of holes are substantially equally spaced. In some embodiments, adjacent rows of holes are spaced between 3.8 millimeters and 4 millimeters inclusive as measured from the centerlines of adjacent rows of holes. 
     In some embodiments, storage-mode cell  104  is configured so that when the arm strap is wrapped around the pouch, hook cell  111  can be coupled to the storage-mode cell. These embodiments allow the arm strap to be secured so that hook cell  111  does not inadvertently attach to other materials (e.g., clothing) while the armband is placed in storage (e.g., in a drawer, in a gym bag, etc.). The operation of storage-mode cell  104  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     In some embodiments, loops cells  110  are located on the arm strap so that hook cell  111  can overlap at least two adjacent loop cells. Note that in these embodiments, hook cell  111  may be able to overlap a single loop cell, but is more likely to overlap two adjacent loop cells. The operation of loop cells  110  and hook cell  111  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C . Also note that the shapes of closure cells  107 , closure hook cell  106 , loop cells  110 , and hook cell  111  are illustrated as ovals. However, these cells can be any shape depending on the application. For example, oval loop cells (and oval storage-mode cell) oriented so that the longer dimension of the oval is substantially aligned with the shorter dimension of arm strap  101  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1C ) allow for more stretch in the lateral direction as compared to circular cells or oval cells oriented in a different direction. 
     In some embodiments, ring  103  is coupled to pouch  100 . In some embodiments, ring  103  is coupled to pouch  100  using stitches  109 . Stitches  109  provide mechanical coupling strength between ring  103  and pouch  100 . Ring  103  is configured to allow arm strap  101  to be passed through ring  103  and pulled back across arm strap  101  so that hook cell  111  can be coupled to one or more loop cells  110 , thereby securing the armband to an arm. The operation of ring  103  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     In some embodiments, pouch  100  includes window  115 . Window  115  can be bonded to the pouch using an adhesive, heat, and pressure. In some embodiments, window  115  includes a substantially transparent portion  116  and a substantially translucent portion  117 . In some embodiments, substantially translucent portion  117  is formed by applying an ink to a portion of an outer surface of the window. The ink can be formulated so that that the ink provides one or more of: a frosty and translucent appearance; and a low-friction scrolling surface for a finger. Note that other processes can be used to create translucent portion  117 . 
     In some embodiments, window  115  includes button area  118 , which is configured to facilitate locating a button on the electronic device within the pouch. Furthermore, button area  118  can protrude out-of-plane from the outer surface of the window to facilitate locating button area  118 . Note that all of button area  118  or a portion of button area  118  can protrude out-of-plane from the outer surface of the window. Alternatively, button area  118  can be co-planar with the outer surface of the window. Button area  118  can be formed using a hydroforming process which presses the window into a desired shape. Note that other shape-forming processes can be used. In some embodiments, button area  118  is formed after ink is applied to window  115 . In some embodiments, button area  118  is within translucent portion  117 . 
     In some embodiments, arm strap  101  can include three layers  112 - 114 . In some embodiments, layers  112  and  114  are made of polyurethane and layer  113  is made of spandex. The polyurethane-spandex-polyurethane layer provides several advantages including, but not limited to: allowing arm strap  101  to stretch but not so far that it will break; not drying out and becoming brittle over time; allowing arm strap  101  to be made thinner than alternatives (e.g., neoprene); the coefficient of thermal expansion is comparable to the other material used in the armband; and the layer is edge stable (e.g., resistant to fraying) so that after die cutting the shape of arm strap  101 , the edges of arm strap  101  do not need to be refinished (e.g., sewn, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the arm strap and the front face of pouch  100  are made form a single piece of polyurethane-spandex-polyurethane material. In these embodiments, the front face of pouch  100  is bonded to the back face of pouch  100  along the edges of the pouch. In some embodiments, the bond is created using adhesive, heat, and pressure applied at the edges of the pouch. Note by using this bonding process, stitches are not required to couple the front face of pouch  100  with the back face of pouch  100 . In one embodiment, the adhesive is a urethane-based adhesive. After the front face and the back face of pouch  100  are bonded together, a hole is cut into the back face of pouch  100  to create the opening in the pouch. 
       FIG. 2A  presents a view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The armband includes pouch  200  and arm strap  201 . In some embodiments, pouch  200  has window  203 . In some embodiments, window  203  includes button area  202 . 
       FIG. 2B  presents a top view of button area  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, a portion of button area  202  protrudes out-of-plane from window  203 . In other embodiments, all of button area  202  protrudes out-of-plane from window  203 . In other embodiments, button area  202  is co-planar with the surface of window  203 . 
     Although button area  202  is illustrated as a circle, button area  202  can be any shape. For example, button area  202  can be an oval, a square, a rectangle, a diamond, or any other shape. Furthermore, the shape of button area  202  can be chosen based on a specified application (e.g., the shape can substantially match the shape of a button on the electronic device). 
     In one embodiment, button area  202  can include inner button area  205  and outer button area  204 . In this embodiment, inner button area  205  and outer button area  204  are not co-planar. Instead, outer button area  204  can protrude out of the surface of window  203  more than inner button area  205  protrudes out of the surface of window  203 .  FIG. 2C  presents a side view of button area  202  illustrating this embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, window  203  includes one or more button areas. For example, window  203  can include a button which is a center button and other buttons which are located around the center button. Note that the center button is not necessarily located at the center of window  203 . In some embodiments, one or more detents are located on window  203  to facilitate guiding a finger of a user from the center button to the other buttons. In these embodiments, the one or more button areas can be the same sizes and shapes, can be different sizes and shapes, or can include one or more subsets of button areas with same sizes and/or shapes. 
       FIG. 3A  presents back view of a pouch  300  for an armband which is holding electronic device  302  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. (Note that in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the arm strap is not shown for the sake of clarity.) As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a hook cell (not shown) is coupled to closure cell  304  so that electronic device  302  is secured within pouch  300 . Note that closure cells  304 - 305  are coupled to pouch  300  whereas the hook cell is coupled to device-securing strap  301 . 
       FIG. 3B  presents back view of a pouch  300  for the armband which is holding electronic device with attachment  304  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the hook cell (not shown) is coupled to closure cell  305  so that electronic device  304  is secured within pouch  300 . Note that a larger electronic device such as electronic device with attachment  304  may protrude from pouch  300 . Hence, to accommodate the extra size of electronic device with attachment  304 , the hook cell is coupled to closure cell  305  instead of closure cell  304 . Also note that there can be any number of closure cells depending on the application. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  present exemplary views of the coupling of a hook cell with one or more loop cells.  FIG. 4A  presents a view arm strap  400  for an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Arm strap  400  includes hook cell  401  and loop cells  402 - 405 .  FIG. 4B  presents a view arm strap  400  wherein arm strap  400  is folded over itself so that hook cell  401  is coupled to loop cell  403  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4C  presents a view arm strap  400  wherein arm strap  400  is folded over itself so that hook cell  401  is coupled to loop cells  404 - 405  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the cell configurations in  FIGS. 4A-4C  are used to illustrate the operation of hook cell  401  and loop cells  402 - 405  and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to these cell configurations. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate an exemplary process of using an arm strap to secure the armband around an arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the back side of pouch  500  can be seen. Arm strap  507  and ring  506  are coupled to pouch  500 . Furthermore, arm strap  507  includes hook cell  501  and loop cells  502 - 505 . In order to secure the armband around an arm (or another object), the back face of pouch  500  is placed against the arm (not shown). Next, arm strap  507  is pulled round the arm and inserted into ring  506  (see  FIG. 5A ). Arm strap  507  is then pulled back toward loop cells  502 - 505  so that hook cell  501  can be coupled to one or more loop cells  502 - 505 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , hook cell  501  is coupled to loop cells  502 - 503 . Note that hook cell  501  can be coupled to any loop cell depending on the size of the arm that the armband is to be attached. 
       FIG. 6  presents a view of the armband when arm strap  604  is wrapped around pouch  600  so that hook cell  601  is coupled to storage-mode cell  602  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In doing so, the armband can be stored so that hook cell  601  will not contact and couple to any other materials (e.g., clothing). 
     The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.