Patent Publication Number: US-2013240580-A1

Title: Wrist-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s)

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention pertains to wrist-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s). 
     Personal electronic devices have become extremely popular, providing on-the-go entertainment and data access as well as mobile phone service. Other personal electronic devices such as music players and video players have also gained in use and popularity. 
     Personal electronic devices are often carried in a pocket or purse, or may be attached to a holster attached to a belt. While some cases may offer protection alone, this protection often fails to provide quick access, ease of use and may take up room in a pocket or handbag. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a mobile device, among others, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case to secure the mobile device; a case having a hook adapted to receive a case tether in the form of a strap or ring; a base to secure a finger ring and a case lock, a wrist brace tether coupled to a wrist brace and the method to carry the case on the wrist and the case can be locked and move into a stowed position on the underside of a user&#39;s wrist. 
     Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following. The flexibility of the case tether coupled to the case allows the mobile device to pivot omni-directionally facing to or facing away from the user. A base serves as the resting cradle for the case. A wrist brace can be worn on a wrist and slidably connected to the wristband tether. During use, the mobile device is inserted into the case. Next, a user slips his/her finger into the finger ring. The user then wears the wrist brace and secures the case to the wrist of the user. 
     The use of the Tether-housing offers further mobility. The Case can be detached from the case tether and can be carried around on its own without attaching to the palm. 
     The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device while allows the hand wearing the wrist brace to perform other tasks. This method of carrying devices on the wrist minimizes the chance of an accidental dropping of the device and misplacing the device. While working with water or liquid it minimizes the chance of liquid being spilled onto and damage the device. If the case were mingled with other personal accessories in the purse or pocket, scratching the surface of the case is a real possibility but would be avoided with the using of the present system. 
     The carrying devices described above provides for an efficient and convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personal electronic device that can be attached to a user&#39;s wrist. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary apparatus with a base to carry a mobile device attached to a user&#39;s wrist. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary apparatus with a base in an unlocked position and in use by a user. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary apparatus with a base and with its case detached from its base, along with finger ring, wrist brace and wristband tether. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments. 
     In the following paragraphs, the preferred embodiment will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the preferred embodiment and any equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the preferred embodiment throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary apparatus with a base to carry a mobile device attached to a user&#39;s wrist. Case  206  is a Case, designed to protect a phone or a mobile device. The case  206  contains a hole  204  on the corner to accommodate for a camera built-in to the mobile device. 
     A case lock assembly  220  and a head retaining wall  260  secure the Case  206  to the base  202 . The case lock assembly  220  comprises of an unlock switch  222  and a stop. To unlock, a user would slide the unlock switch  222  back and the case  206  is released from its locked position and the case  206  is allowed to be lifted up. The stop would prevent the unlock switch  222  from moving back more than is needed. To lock the case into the closed position, a user would align the bottom of the case  206  with the head retaining wall  260  and presses the case  206  down toward the base  202 . When it reaches the locked position, the case lock assembly  220  locks the case  206  in its closed position. The location of this case lock assembly  220  at the foot of the base  202  offers a more secure locking condition for the case than would be if it were located on the other end. 
     The base  202  is coupled to the Case  206  by a case tether  210 . Case tether  210  can be bent and twisted into any desired positions by a user. The other end of the case tether  210  is hooked into the tether-housing  208 . While hooked to the tether-housing  208 , the mobile device is securely attached to the base  202 . The tether-housing  208  is comprises of a hook  272  surrounded by a retaining wall. The purpose of the retaining wall is to prevent the case tether  210  from unhooked accidentally. The case tether  210  can be unhooked from the tether-housing  208  by simply sliding it out from the hook  272  in the tether-housing  208 . 
     Base  202  secures the Case  206  to a user&#39;s wrist with several components. A finger ring  218  holds the base  202  to a user&#39;s finger. On the other end, a wristband tether  228  and a wrist brace  230  secures the base  202  to a user&#39;s wrist. The wrist brace  230  can include a wristband and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary apparatus with a base in an unlocked position and in use by a user. In  FIG. 2 , the user is typing on the mobile device or phone (not shown) with the user&#39;s fingers. The Case  206  is allowed to move unrestrained by a flexible case tether  210  (see  FIG. 1  also). 
     The case lock assembly  220  releases the edge of the Case  206  into the opened position and allows for free movement of the case  206  thus the mobile device. Head retaining wall  260  confines the Case  206  while it is in its facedown position. While the Case is upright, the slots  238  for wristband tether  228  are revealed. These slots  238  secure the wristband tether  228  to the base  202 . In turn, the wristband tether  228  is secured to the wrist brace  230 . Finger ring  218  and Wrist brace  230  works together to keep the base  202  in place. As the figures demonstrate, the apparatus allows for a great range of movement of the mobile device. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary apparatus with a base and with its case detached from its base, along with a finger ring, a wrist brace and a wristband tether. The case  206  depicted is not connected to the case tether  210 . 
       FIG. 3  depicted the case  206  having the tether-housing  208  with its hook  272  in its center surrounded by a retaining wall. In this depiction, the space beneath the hook is hollowed out to reduce the height requirement of the tether-housing  208 . This hollowed out is optional. This image also shows the flexible finger ring  218  and the wrist brace  230 . The Wrist brace  230  is secured to base  202  by a wristband tether  228 , which connects with slots  238  on the base  202 . Wrist brace  230  would be strapped around a user&#39;s wrist and be secured by two straps of Velcro: one with microscopic hooks  242  and another strip with microscopic loops  244  as illustrated. The brace  230  slidably engages the wristband tether  228  to allow movement of the case  206 . In one embodiment, the wristband tether  228  forms a loop around the wrist brace  230  and the loop can slide around the wrist brace  230 . The wrist brace  230  wraps around the user&#39;s wrist as shown in  FIG. 1 . and  FIG. 2 . 
     Tethers  210 ,  218 ,  228  and wrist brace  230  may be fabricated from any suitable material or a combination of webbing, leather, fabric, plastic, a strap, a string, a ring, cloth or rubber band or synthetic materials. 
     The mechanism of the closures  210 , 218 ,  228  and  242  and  244  of wrist brace  230  in one embodiment is comprised of a strap loop, a band with Velcro type of loops on one side and hooks on another, a belt and a buckle, a button and buttonhole or a snap button and receptacle type of configurations. In another embodiment, the coupling is comprised of threaded loop and stitching/gluing and clips. Other embodiments may be by a variety of means to accomplish the task of coupling. The wrist brace  230  is pivotably and rotatably coupled to one end of the base. 
     In order to provide the best viewing and typing angles, the system flexibly allows the Case to face and pivot in omni-directions. 
     To offer further mobility and with the use of the Tether-housing, the Case can be detached from the case tether. The case can then be carried around on its own without attaching to the palm. The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device with or without coupling with a finger ring while allows the hand wearing the case attached to a wrist to perform other tasks. During use, the mobile device is inserted into the case housing which is secured to the base. Next, a user slips his/her finger into the finger ring that secures the base to the finger. The user then wears the wrist brace and secures it to the wrist of the user. 
     The apparatus described above provides for an efficient and a convenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personal mobile device such as a cell phone or a camera attached to a user&#39;s wrist. These features allow the user to type, take pictures, and complete other activities with ease. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example of the preferred embodiment, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the embodiment. The present system is not restricted to the illustrated example designs or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative designs and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the present apparatus. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     Although the above system is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present system should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
     Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. 
     A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. 
     The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be distributed across multiple locations. 
     Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration. 
     The foregoing description of various disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
     Various modifications and alterations of the above apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language.