Patent Publication Number: US-2012046083-A1

Title: Cell phone holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/399,270 entitled CELL PHONE HOLDER filed Jul. 8, 2010 in the name of Keven H. Klett, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to cell phones and particularly to apparatus for providing hands-free use thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The rapid expansion of cell phone use has virtually revolutionized the telephone industry. Cell phones have become pervasive and have increased dramatically in capabilities and applications. From the earliest development of cell phone, one of the more common uses of cell phones was experienced by vehicle drivers. The convenience of being able to make and maintain telephone conversations while driving a vehicle quickly became the norm within telephone communication. As the proliferation of cell phones continued to expand dramatically, the number of drivers experiencing difficulties and accidents as the result of the distraction provided by cell phone use in a vehicle also increased in dramatic numbers. The number of vehicle accidents and mishaps attributed to the distraction of cell phone use while operating vehicles prompted lawmakers in many jurisdictions to mandate a “hands-free” capability for cell phone use while driving a vehicle. In some sense, the term hands-free is a misnomer in that a complete hands-free operation is not mandated. Most laws require that the user be capable of indulging in and maintaining a cell phone conversation without the need to hold the cell phone in the user&#39;s hand. 
     To meet the need for hands-free operation by vehicle drivers, practitioners in the art have provided several types of devices. The lowest cost and most prevalent apparatus provided for hands-free cell phone use typically comprises a small plug-in earphone and microphone combination together with a connecting wire which plugs into the cell phone external input jack. Other devices have been provided which take a more sophisticated approach and which generally comprise a small ear mounted device having a speaker and microphone together with an electronic communication link to the basic cell phone. Thus, the user is able to avoid the need for a tethered connection to the cell phone and enjoys greater freedom of movement within the vehicle. 
     While both the foregoing types of hands-free devices have, to some extent, met this need, they tend to be cumbersome and uncomfortable to use and have been met with some dissatisfaction on the part of cell phone users. 
     In view of the shortcomings of presently available hands-free apparatus for cell phone use by vehicle drivers, there arises a need in the art for an improved cell phone apparatus which meets the hands-free requirements mandated by law and which is low in cost and easy to use. There remains a further need for a hands-free device which is more comfortable and less intrusive upon the vehicle driver than present day hands-free devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved cell phone holder which operates a conventional speaker phone enabled cell phone in a hands-free vehicle driving environment. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a hands-free operative cell phone holder which does not require wire connection to the cell phone. 
     The present invention cell phone holder provides a flexible cell phone receptacle which receives and supports a cell phone within a cell phone pocket. The receptacle further includes an extending flexible strap which terminates in a counterweight at its extreme end. In typical use, the cell phone is placed within the receptacle within the cell phone holder and the combination of cell phone and cell phone holder is placed upon the user&#39;s chest and shoulder with the strap passing over the user&#39;s shoulder to position the counterweight upon the user&#39;s back. The cell phone holder maintains the cell phone in proximity to the user&#39;s mouth and ear without the need for further attachment. The cell phone within the receptacle is operated in its “speaker” mode allowing the user to speak into the cell phone microphone and listen to the other party via the speaker feature of the cell phone. The entire cell phone holder is simple and low costs while maintaining excellent hands-free use of the driver&#39;s cell phone. In its preferred use, the cell phone holder supporting a cell phone is positioned on the inside shoulder and chest of the driver to avoid interference with the seatbelts of the vehicle. 
     More specifically, the present invention provides for use in combination with a cell phone for operation in a hands-free mode, a cell phone holder comprising: an elongated flexible body having first and second ends; a weight supported by the first end; and a cell phone receiving receptacle formed on the second end, the cell phone holder constructed to be placed upon a user&#39;s shoulder such that the first end lays against the user&#39;s rear shoulder and the second end, supporting a cell phone in the cell phone receiving receptacle, lays against the user&#39;s front shoulder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  sets forth a perspective view of a typical vehicle driver utilizing a cell phone holder constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  sets forth an enlarged partial perspective view of a typical driver utilizing the present invention cell phone holder; 
         FIG. 3  sets forth a partially sectioned front view of the present invention cell phone holder; 
         FIG. 4  sets forth a side elevation view of the present invention cell phone holder; 
         FIG. 5  sets forth a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention cell phone holder; 
         FIG. 6  sets forth a perspective view of a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention cell phone holder; 
         FIG. 7  sets forth a partially sectioned front view of a further alternate embodiment of the present invention cell phone holder; 
         FIG. 8  sets forth a rear view of the present invention cell phone holder shown in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  sets forth a partial section front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  supporting a typical cell phone. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     By way of overview, the present invention cell phone holder provides an elongated generally elongated flexible base member having a cell phone receiving pocket or receptacle on one end and a counterweight on the opposite end. The cell phone receptacle is configured to receive the partial insertion of a typical cell phone such that the upper portion of the cell phone extends beyond the upper edge of the cell phone receptacle. The receptacle or pocket portion of the present invention cell phone holder preferably defines a plurality of apertures therein suitable for passing sound energy. The counterweight is sufficient to balance the anticipated combined weight of the cell phone receptacle portion and a typical cell phone therein. The strap portion extending between the counterweight and the cell phone receptacle portion is preferably formed of a flexible material. In an anticipated use of the present invention, the user having an operative cell phone positioned within the cell phone receptacle of the present invention holder places the cell phone and receptacle high on the user&#39;s chest near the shoulder and neck of the user such that the flexible strap extends rearwardly over the user&#39;s shoulder and downwardly upon the upper portion of the user&#39;s back such that the counterweight is positioned upon the user&#39;s back. In this position, the cell phone is maintained proximate to the user&#39;s mouth and ear enabling the user to speak into the microphone of the cell phone and to hear audio output from the speaker portion of the cell phone. The user is able to maintain undivided attention to driving activities and is able to speak to and listen to the cell phone conversation without moving from an eyes forward head position. 
     More specifically and with reference to  FIG. 1 , a typical driver  10  is shown seated upon a conventional vehicle seat  11  in the driver&#39;s position such that driver  10  is able to grip steering wheel  13  of the host vehicle. A conventional seatbelt  12  is shown securing driver  10  within seat  11  also in accordance with conventional vehicle fabrication. Seat  11  includes a head rest  14  on the upper portion thereof. Driver  10  is seated upon seat  11  and secured by seatbelt  12  such that driver&#39;s head  20  is positioned against headrest  14  and such that driver  10  is able to face forwardly within the host vehicle and participate in driving activities. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a cell phone holder  30  includes a cell phone receptacle  31 , a strap  32  and a counterweight  33  (counterweight  33  shown in  FIG. 2 ). In further accordance with the present invention, cell phone receptacle  31  receives a conventional cell phone  15  and is supported thereby. In the anticipated use of the present invention cell phone holder, cell phone receptacle  31  supporting cell phone  15  is positioned upon chest  25  of driver  10  such that strap  32  passes over shoulder  24  of driver  10 . As is better seen in  FIG. 2 , strap  32  passes downwardly from shoulder  24  allowing counterweight  33  to rest upon the user&#39;s back. 
     With cell phone  15  retained with cell phone holder  30  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 , cell phone  15  operated in the speaker mode is positioned close to mouth  22  and ear  21  upon head  20  of driver  10 . With cell phone  15  positioned and maintained in this manner, speech from driver  20  is readily received by the microphone (not shown) within cell phone  15 . Similarly, with cell phone  15  retained as shown in  FIG. 1 , audio output from cell phone  15  is readily heard by ear  21  of driver  20 . 
     Thus, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, cell phone holder  30  maintains cell phone  15  in close proximity to mouth  22  and ear  21  of driver  10  in a hands-free operation. In further accordance with the present invention, cell phone holder  30  maintains the operative position of cell phone  15  without the need for a wire tether or wireless connection of the type utilized by prior art cell phone devices. In the preferred use of the present invention cell phone holder, the user typically prefers to utilize cell phone holder  30  upon the right shoulder to avoid interference with seat belt  12  which typically passes over the user&#39;s left shoulder. 
       FIG. 2  sets forth an enlarged perspective view of the present invention cell phone holder upon the user&#39;s right shoulder in which the user is depicted in phantom-line drawing to facilitate complete illustration of the entire cell phone holder. More specifically,  FIG. 2  shows a cell phone holder  30  constructed in accordance with the present invention having a cell phone receptacle  31  forming a pocket within which a conventional cell phone  15  is received and secured. Cell phone holder  30  further includes a flexible strap  32  passing over the user&#39;s shoulder and terminating in a counterweight  33 . The passage of strap  32  over the user&#39;s shoulder positions counterweight  33  against the user&#39;s upper back while maintaining cell phone receptacle  31  and cell phone  15  upon the upper front chest of the user. Of importance with respect to the present invention is the positioning of cell phone holder such that cell phone  15  is maintained in close proximity to the ear and mouth of the cell phone user. This facilitates the speaker phone communication between the user and cell phone  15 . 
       FIG. 3  sets forth a partially sectioned front view of cell phone holder  30  constructed in accordance with the present invention. Cell phone holder  30  as described above includes a cell phone receptacle  31  configured to receive and support a conventional cell phone  15 . Receptacle  31  defines a plurality of apertures  34  suitable for allowing sound energy to pass to and from cell phone  15 . Cell phone holder  30  further includes a strap  32  extending from cell phone receptacle  31  and terminating in a counterweight  33 . Counterweight  33  may be fabricated in virtually any convenient fabrication suitable for providing sufficient counterweight to generally balance the weight of cell phone  15  and receptacle  31 . For example, counterweight  33  may comprise a conventional metal washer or metal disk  35 . Cell phone  15  will be understood to be illustrative of a variety of conventional cell phones in which the microphones and speakers thereof are variously positioned upon the cell phone body. For purposes of illustration, cell phone  15  is shown having a microphone  16  on its upper portion and a speaker  17  on its lower portion. It will understood by those skilled in the art, however, that virtually any conventional cell phone may be utilized within receptacle  31  so long as it is capable of being operated in speaker phone mode. 
       FIG. 4  sets forth a side elevation view of cell phone holder  30  which as described above includes a cell phone receptacle  31  together with a strap  32  extending therefrom. Cell phone receptacle  31  further includes a counterweight  33  at the extreme end of strap  32 . As is also described above, receptacle  31  receives a conventional cell phone  15 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention cell phone holder may be fabricated using a variety of different materials. Thus, for example, cell phone holder  30  may be fabricated of generally flexible plastic material such as vinyl material or the like. Additionally, cell phone holder  30  may be fabricated of other materials such as cloth or leather without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. By way of further example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that cell phone receptacle  31  may be formed by attachment to strap  32  using a variety of attachments such as chemical or sonic welding, adhesive attachment, or mechanical fasteners such as sewn stitching or metal fasteners such as rivets or the like. The important aspect in fabricating cell phone holder  30  is the provision of a suitable receptacle for receiving and securing a cell phone therein. It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that while the preferred fabrication of the present invention cell phone holder utilizes a flexible material for strap  32 , in certain instances users may prefer a strap having memory such as a flexible deformable metal material or the like. In this use, strap  32  may be pre-bent to a generally U-shaped form to fit upon the user&#39;s shoulder. In either event, the important aspect of the fabrication of the present invention cell phone holder is the secure positioning of the cell phone upon the user&#39;s upper chest area near the user&#39;s mouth and ear. 
       FIG. 5  sets forth a partial perspective view showing one form of attachment of receptacle  31  to the body of strap  32 . Once again, it will be understood that a variety of different fabrications may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     More specifically,  FIG. 5  sets forth a plastic or vinyl material embodiment of the present invention generally referenced by numeral  40 . The specific fabrication of cell phone  40  shown in  FIG. 5  utilizes a laminar plastic or vinyl material. However, other materials such as leather or fabric may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, cell phone holder  40  includes a generally rectangular base  41  which comprises the lower end of strap  42  and which is preferably formed integrally therewith. Thus, base  41  forms the bottom end of strap  42 . Base  41  further defines an upper surface  46 . A cell phone receptacle  43  is formed to define an internal upwardly open pocket  44 . Receptacle  43  is formed of a planar material and is configured to provide a three-sided lip  45  extending around the sides and bottom of the receptacle. In accordance with the preferred fabrication of the present invention, lip  45  is joined to surface  46  of base  41  using conventional attachment such as heat or sonic welding, adhesive bonding, or mechanical attachment such as sewn stitches or mechanical fasteners such as rivets or the like. The important aspect of the apparatus used to join lip  45  to surface  46  is the provision of a convenient easily manufactured attachment of sufficient strength to maintain the integrity of pocket  44 . 
       FIG. 6  sets forth a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention cell phone holder generally referenced by numeral  50 . Cell phone holder  50  is configured to represent a plush body  FIG. 51  having a fanciful animal-like appearance and structure. Figure body  51  includes a head  55 , a tail  56  and front paws  53  and  54 . Tail  56  further supports a counterweight  57  while front paws  53  and  54  define a cell phone receptacle  52 . Cell phone receptacle  52  forms a cell phone receiving pocket  58  within which a conventional cell phone  15  is received. Cell phone receptacle  52  further defines a plurality of apertures  59  suitably configure to allow sound energy to pass to and from receptacle  52 . 
     Cell phone holder  50  provides a novelty like and fanciful cell phone holder which nonetheless functions in accordance with the present invention to maintain the position of cell phone  15  in proximity to the mouth and ear of the cell phone user. The fanciful depiction of figure body  51  may be designed to provide different appearance novelty items such as different animals, figures or other fanciful creations. The operation and function of cell phone holder  50  remains the same as the above-described embodiments in which the cell phone holder passes over the user&#39;s shoulder to support cell phone  15  upon the upper chest of the user near the user&#39;s mouth and ear. The operation of cell phone holder  50  further utilizes counterweight  57  extending from and supported by tail  56  of figure body  51 . 
       FIG. 7  sets forth a planar view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention cell phone holder generally referenced by numeral  70 . Cell phone holder  70  functions in substantially the same manner as the above-described inventive cell phone holders and is preferably fabricated of a material having a textured side and a smooth side with the textured side tending to be non-slip or grip-type material. In its preferred form, the material selected for cell phone holder  70  is substantially flexible and “limp” in its character. It will be recognized, however, that the material used to fabricated cell phone  70  may be selected to have a stiffer characteristic or memory material in certain applications. 
     More specifically, cell phone holder  70  includes an elongated flexible body  71  fabricated of a material having a smooth side  95  and a non-slip side  96 . While a variety of materials may be utilized in practicing the invention set forth in cell phone holder  70 , particular advantage has been found in utilizing a material known in the plastic and textile arts as expanded supported vinyl or polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. It will be recognized however that other suitable materials may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Body  71  preferably comprises an elongated single fabric member which is folded upwardly along a fold line  97  to form a cell phone receptacle  75 . The upper portion of receptacle  75  is sewn along a stitch line  93  to form a convenient edge for a cell phone receptacle  87  formed between the overlapping portions of body  71 . Fold line  97  defines a plurality of vent apertures  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85  and  86  along fold line  97 . In addition, receptacle  75  further defines a plurality of apertures  76  through  81  on the frontal portion thereof. 
     As mentioned above, body  71  is preferably formed of a material having a non-slip surface on one side and a smooth surface on the other. Accordingly, body  71  is fabricated such that non-slip side  96  is exposed forwardly on receptacle  75  and, as is better seen in  FIG. 8 , covers virtually the entire rear surface of flexible body  71 . Flexible body  71  further includes a generally circular upper end  72  having a weight pocket  73  formed therein. Weight pocket  73  is formed by overlying upper end  72  with an additional layer of fabric having its non-slip side exposed. Within weight pocket  73 , a generally disk-shaped weight  69  preferably formed of a heavy material such as metal or the like is captivated. Weight pocket  73  is completed by a pocket binding  91  which closes the lower end of weight pocket  73  which in turn is completed by a sewn stitch line  92 . Thus, weight  69  is captivated within weight pocket  73  to add weight to end  72 . 
     Finally, cell phone holder  70  is completed by wrapping a generally continuous fabric binding  74  upon the overlapping edges of weight receptacle  75  and upwardly on the edges of body  71  and encircling weight pocket  73 . Binding  74  is formed of a suitable flexible material such as cloth or the like and is secured by a generally continuous sewn stitch indicated by stitch line  90 . 
       FIG. 8  sets forth a rear view of cell phone holder  70  showing the reverse side of flexible body  71 . As mentioned above, flexible body  71  is covered on its rear surface in its entirety with non-slip material preferably formed in the above-described expanded supported vinyl or PVC fabrication. However, suffice it to note that in the preferred fabrication of cell phone  70 , the entire rear surface of body  71  is covered in non-slip material. For purposes of illustration,  FIG. 8  shows a portion of body  71  bearing non-slip texture. However, to avoid unduly cluttering  FIG. 8 , the remaining portions of body  71  are not shown bearing the above-described non-slip texture but will be understood to be covered completely on the entire rear surface thereof. Once again as described above, the outer edges of body  71  are secured by a suitable cloth binding  74  which in turn is secured by a sewn seam indicated by stitch line  90 . 
       FIG. 9  sets forth a partially sectioned front view of cell phone holder  70  supporting a typical cell phone generally referenced by numeral  100 . Cell phone  100  will be understood to be representative of cell phones generally rather than a particular type. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that virtually any cell phone may be positioned within cell phone receptacle  75  in the general manner shown in  FIG. 9 . By way of further generality, it will be understood that the manner in which a cell phone is inserted into cell phone receptacle  75  of cell phone holder  70  is determined in large part by the type of phone to be utilized. Phones may be positioned within receptacle  75  in either a forward looking relationship as shown in  FIG. 9  or, alternatively, may be reversed to be positioned with the rear face extending forwardly within receptacle  75 . By way of further generalization, it will be recognized that so-called “flip” type cell phones characterized by a hinged frontal cover may be positioned within receptacle  75  in the open configuration with the flip cover extending upwardly without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     As described above, cell phone holder  70  includes an elongated body  71  preferably formed of a fabric material having a non-slip side  96  and a smooth side  95 . As is also described above, elongated body  71  is folded upwardly along a fold line  97  to overlap the lower portion of flexible body  71  and form a cell phone receptacle  75 . Cell phone receptacle  75  defines a receptacle mouth  87  formed by the upper edge of receptacle  75 . A portion of the upper edge of receptacle  75  is folded downwardly and secured by a sewn seam indicated by stitch line  93  to provide an easily used receptacle mouth edge. Receptacle  75  further defines a plurality of vent apertures  82  through  86  along fold line  97  and a plurality of apertures  76  through  81  (apertures  78 ,  79  and  80  shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
     As is also described above, flexible body  71  terminates at its upper end in a weight pocket  73  formed by an overlying second layer of fabric material which is secured along the bottom edge thereof with a binding  91  sewn in place by a sewn seam indicated by stitch line  92 . A weight  69  preferably formed of a heavy material such as metal or the like is captivated within weight pocket  73 . Finally, as is also described above, cell phone holder  70  is completed by a binding  74  which captivates the edges of flexible body  71  and is formed of a suitable fabric material. Binding  74  is secured by a sewn seam indicated by stitch line  90 . 
     As mentioned above, a typical cell phone  100  is shown positioned within cell phone receptacle  75 . Cell phone  100  is representative of general cell phone construction and includes a front surface  101  having a display screen  102  supported thereon. Cell phone  100  further includes a microphone  103  on the upper edge thereof and a speaker  104  at the lower edge thereof. It will be understood that, in accordance with different fabrications for cell phones, the locations of microphone  103  and speaker  104  may be positioned at different places upon cell phone  100 . Cell phone  100  also includes a speaker mode button  99  which in accordance with conventional cell phone fabrication techniques is utilized to engage the operation of cell phone  100  in its “speaker mode”. Speaker mode is well known in cell phone fabrication and is characterized by being operated much like a conventional cell phone without the need to place the phone directly against the ear and mouth for use. Cell phone holder  70  functions once cell phone  100  is positioned within receptacle  75  and speaker button  99  is employed to configure cell phone  100  in its speaker mode by utilization of the above-described method as shown above in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Accordingly, cell phone holder  70  supporting cell phone  100  is utilized by positioning receptacle  75  and cell phone  100  upon the front shoulder area as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  above while allowing flexible body  71  to pass over the user&#39;s shoulder and allowing end  72  supporting weight  69  to extend downwardly on the rear shoulder of the user. In this manner, cell phone holder  70  retains cell phone  100  in an ideal position for “hands-free” operation as the user drives a vehicle or engages in other hands-free activity. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the positioning of non-stick surface material upon the entire rear portion of flexible body  71  in the manner shown in  FIG. 8  greatly enhances the tendency of cell phone holder  70  to secure and maintain cell phone  100  in the desired front shoulder/chest position of the user. 
     While it is recognized that different stiffnesses of flexible body  71  may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it has been found that utilizing extremely flexible “limp” material rather than formable memory type material is for the most part advantageous in operation of the present invention cell phone holder and the cell phone supported therein. 
     What has been shown is a novel cell phone holder suitable for providing hands-free operation of a cell phone by a vehicle driver which is simple to use and which is low in manufacturing costs and complexity. The inventive cell phone holder shown avoids the need for electronic communication apparatus and also avoids the need for tether or other connection between the cell phone user and the cell phone. The cell phone holder shown readily employs virtually any conventional cell phone so long as the cell phone is capable of speaker phone operation. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.