Patent Publication Number: US-2013249202-A1

Title: Multi-media device holder for stroller

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/534,804 filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 14, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of digital multimedia device holders, and more particularly, to digital multimedia device holders adapted for attaching to a stroller or other ambulatory vehicle. 
     2. Related Art 
     Digital multimedia devices are increasing in both popularity and functionality. For example, a mother walking her child in a stroller may use her digital device to access maps, listen to music, or search for a nearby kid-friendly restaurant for lunch. The utility of such devices, however, can be limited by their fragility, and outdoor use can lead to severe, irreparable damage to the devices. For instance, users walking around with their multimedia device may trip and fall, losing hold of the device, and causing the device&#39;s screen to shatter or damaging internal components beyond repair. 
     Parents with small children are also finding ways to use their multimedia devices to keep children entertained during travel. For example, a parent running with a child in a stroller may use a digital media player to keep the child entertained for extended durations. This advanced utility, however, is again limited by the fragility of the devices, and children using the devices may be more prone to cause damage. Some devices may also be too heavy or bulky for children to use effectively for extended duration, thereby limiting the device&#39;s utility and the parent&#39;s workout duration. 
     There is accordingly a need for a protective pouch or device holder that allows parents to safely use their devices outdoors when pushing a stroller. There is further a need for a protective pouch or holder that allows parents to entertain their children traveling in strollers with multimedia devices without subjecting the devices to excess danger. There is also a need for a protective pouch or holder that secures or supports digital devices for extended durations to limit fatigue from holding such devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a stroller is disclosed that may include a child seat, a handle for pushing the stroller, and a multimedia device pouch attached to the stroller handle. The multimedia device pouch may include one or more fasteners for attaching the pouch to the stroller handle and a pocket configured to at least partially secure or support a multimedia device. The pocket may include a window through which the device may be viewed. The multimedia device pouch may also include one or more of a zipper, a snap, Velcro, a magnet, elastic, a screw, extra fabric, or a fastener configured to angle the pocket for viewing the multimedia device at two or more viewing angles. The stroller handle may also be configured to pivot between multiple operating positions, with the viewing angle of the multimedia device in the pouch changing with the multiple operating positions to provide various viewing alternatives to both stroller passengers and those pushing the stroller. 
     In one embodiment, a protective pouch or holder for a digital multimedia device is disclosed. The pouch may include one or more fasteners for attaching the pouch to a stroller or similar ambulatory vehicle. The pouch may also include a pocket configured to secure or support a multimedia device. The pocket may include a window through which the device may be viewed. The multimedia device pouch may also include one or more of a zipper, a snap, Velcro, a magnet, elastic, a screw, extra fabric, or a fastener configured to angle the pocket for viewing the multimedia device at two or more viewing angles. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the viewing side of an exemplary multimedia device pouch. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the rear or non-viewing side of an exemplary multimedia device pouch. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary multimedia device pouch attached to a stroller handle. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a two-seated stroller with an exemplary multimedia device pouch attached to the stroller handle. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a stroller with an exemplary multimedia device pouch attached to the stroller handle and configured in a downward-facing orientation for viewing by a child in a horizontal or reclined position in a first stroller seat. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a stroller with an exemplary multimedia device pouch attached to the stroller handle and configured in a horizontal-facing orientation for viewing by a child in an upright position in a second stroller seat. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a stroller with an exemplary multimedia device pouch attached to the stroller handle and configured in an upward-facing orientation for viewing by a parent pushing the stroller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the various embodiments. Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, and applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the examples described herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Thus, the various embodiments are not intended to be limited to the examples described herein and shown, but are to be accorded the scope consistent with the claims. 
     The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a protective pouch or holder for digital multimedia devices that may be secured to a stroller or similar ambulatory vehicle and used while in transit, while also protecting the devices from dangers inherent in the outdoors, especially while in transit.  FIG. 1  illustrates the viewing side of exemplary fabric multimedia device pouch  100  (also referred to herein as a sleeve or holder). Pouch  100  may include any of a variety of fabrics sewn such that it integrates with the handlebars of a stroller or other ambulatory vehicles with handlebars. In one embodiment, pouch  100  may include lightweight, breathable fabrics. In another embodiment, pouch  100  may include durable fabrics, plastics, vinyl, or any combination that, in some embodiments, may repel water or provide an air-tight enclosure. Pouch  100  may protect the device while allowing for interaction with the device even while it is completely enclosed. Pouch  100  may also allow for both a parent pushing a stroller and one or more children sitting in the stroller to view the device. 
     Pouch  100  may include one or more of fasteners  102  and  104  configured to attach to the sides of a U-shaped handlebar, between two handles of a stroller, between two elements of a stroller frame, along a single frame element, or in a variety of other configurations. In one embodiment, fasteners  102  and  104  may include Velcro to attach the pouch to the handlebar of a stroller. Fasteners  102  and  104  may also include fabric sewn in place to part of a stroller. In yet another embodiment, pouch  100  may be appropriately sized and configured such that fasteners  102  and  104  include material that fits tightly on the handlebar of the stroller without any additional fastening means. As such, pouch  100  in various embodiments may be removable, semi-permanently fixed, or permanently fixed to the stroller. In some embodiments, fasteners  102  and  104  may include fabrics, screws, snaps, zippers, ties, elastic materials, and a variety of other fasteners and fastener combinations to attach pouch  100  to a variety of structural elements of a stroller. 
     Pouch  100  may also include pocket  106  configured to hold a digital multimedia device. Pocket  106  may include any of a variety of materials or combinations of materials, configured such that a user can view a digital multimedia device through at least one side of the pocket, and in some embodiments, such that a user can interact with the device through at least one side of the pocket. In one embodiment, pocket  106  may include a window or opening  112  on one side of pocket  106  allowing a user to interact directly with a device through the window or opening. In another embodiment, pocket  106  may include clear screen or window  112  on at least one side, comprising material that protects the secured device while allowing for display of the screen of the digital multimedia device through screen or window  112  to the exterior of the pouch. 
     Screen or window  112  may be made of a variety of different materials and may have a variety of different characteristics for a different user experience. In some instances, secured devices may have pressure- or touch-sensitive screens, touch-sensitive buttons, traditional buttons, or the like, and window  112  may include material configured to allow these controls to function normally through the material or through openings in the material. In one embodiment, window  112  may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and be clear and flexible to allow users to activate buttons or switches through pocket window  112 , or to interact with touch-sensitive screens on some devices. In other instances, secured devices may also have capacitive-touch screens in addition to one or more buttons, and window  112  may include material configured to a particular thickness and composition so as to maintain the capacitive-touch functionality through window  112  of devices with capacitive-touch screens while also maintaining button functionality through window  112 . In one embodiment, window  112  may include polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and be clear and rigid. One of skill in the art would recognize that there are a variety of materials and material properties that could be used for window  112  to provide a different user experience. As mentioned above, window  112  may also be an opening in one side of pocket  106  allowing direct access to the secured device. Importantly, because the device can be used through window  112 , the device may be secured, supported, or even completely enclosed and protected without losing the beneficial functionality of the multimedia device. In some embodiments, window  112  may not be completely clear, but may include a tint or other modification that enhances the ease of viewing for users of particular devices or restricts viewing to protect sensitive information. 
     Pocket  106  may also be formed from a single material to secure or support the multimedia device by one material on all sides. In another embodiment, pocket  106  may have window  112  on one side as described above, and a different material, such as fabric, on the non-viewing side. Pocket  106  may also secure or support the device in the pocket with closing mechanism  108 , which may be a zipper as shown in  FIG. 1 . Closing mechanism  108  may also include any of a variety of other fasteners or seals such as magnets, Velcro, snaps, elastics, screws, or other fasteners to hold a device securely within pocket  106 . 
     Pouch  100  may be configured to serve as a sunshade for a child traveling in the stroller. For example, pouch  100  may be attachable to the stroller handlebar such that it provides shade to a child below traveling in a seat. In another embodiment, pouch  100  may be attachable to any other element of a stroller to provide shade at the necessary angle for a child traveling in the stroller. Pouch  100 —whether a device is secured or not, and whether the position provides viewing and interacting access or not—may thus be positioned to serve as a sunshade for a child traveling in the stroller. To better protect the pouch and any devices therein from the sun and other elements, pouch  100  may include material that is sun resistant or that may be treated to prevent damage from the sun&#39;s rays and other elements. In one embodiment, only one side of pouch  100  may be made of a sun-resistant material or treated to prevent damage from the sun&#39;s rays and other elements. 
     Pouch  100  may also include sunshade  110  to provide extra sun protection for stroller passengers beyond the proportions of pocket  106 . In one embodiment, sunshade  110  may include additional fabric that is rigid and fixed in place, and that extends beyond pocket  106 . In another embodiment, sunshade  110  may include flexible fabric that can be extended and fixed in place to a stroller element or other object by a user when needed, or retracted and stored when unwanted by folding or rolling the material for storage. Sunshade  110  may also include stretchable fabric that can be stretched and secured to provide shade, or released and retracted back to the pouch when not needed. Pouch  100  may also include a separate pocket or storage compartment for additional sunshade fabric. 
     Examples of multimedia devices that may be secured within pocket  106  of pouch  100  include smartphones, tablet computers, and touch-screen music players. Other devices may also be protected and/or usable within the pouch including media players, traditional cellular phones, portable DVD players, netbooks, laptop computers, and the like. In some embodiments, additional or secondary pockets may be provided for added utility. In one embodiment, pouch  100  may include an additional or secondary pocket opposite pocket  106  for carrying a variety of items. In other embodiments, one or more small pockets may be added in addition to device pocket  106  for other items including keys, snacks, headphones, chargers, wallets, speakers, device accessories, and the like. Additionally, other large pockets may also be added for carrying larger items. Additional pockets may comprise any of the materials and fasteners described above. For example, one or more additional or secondary pockets may include Velcro, a zipper, or a snap to secure stored items. 
     Pouch  100  and/or pocket  106  may also include one or more holes, channels, or openings for routing wires, such as hole  109  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, pocket  106  and/or pouch  100  may include hole  109  configured to route one or more headphone wires from a device secured within pocket  106  out to a user or to speakers. Hole  109  may be configured to prevent water, dust, or other debris from entering through the hole while allowing for headphone wires or other cables to be routed out of the pocket. In some embodiments, hole  109  may be routed through pocket  106  material, pouch  100  material, or window  112 . In one embodiment, pouch  100  and/or pocket  106  may include one or more holes or channels routed between pocket  106  and additional pockets, which may be configured to hold speakers or other device accessories. Thus, a variety of combinations of pockets and holes or channels may be configured for a variety of uses. 
     The various embodiments may be configured to attach to a stroller in a variety of positions for a variety of different applications. In one embodiment, pouch  100  may be attachable to stroller handles such that the multimedia device screen in pocket  106  faces upward; that is, the device&#39;s screen is oriented upward and viewable through window  112 . In this orientation, the parent pushing the stroller may easily view the screen of the device and interact with the buttons or touch-screen through window  112  of pouch  100 . For example, the parent could be using a map application on the device while strolling and easily follow on-screen directions as well as input additional instructions into the device through window  112 . 
     Pouch  100  may also be attachable to the stroller to orient the device for viewing by a child sitting in a stroller seat. This may be accomplished by pivoting the stroller handlebar to which the pouch is attached or by reorienting pocket  106  by means such as zippers and extra folds of fabric or material. 
     Other arrangements may be contemplated to allow configurability of pouch  100  for viewing and interacting with the device in a variety of positions. For example, pouch  100  may also be configured to attach to a variety of different structural elements on a stroller to accomplish a variety of different viewing and interacting arrangements. In some embodiments, reorienting pouch  100  for different viewing and interacting positions may only require loosening a zipper or unbuttoning one or more buttons or snaps, allowing the viewing side of pouch  100  to rotate to a different angle. One or more viewing positions may also be defined and means provided for orienting and securing pouch  100  in a variety of positions: for example, a variety of angles may be defined and one or more snaps, zippers, or other fastening means provided at each of the variety of angles to secure pouch  100  in a particular orientation for use (i.e., for parental viewing at one angle, parental viewing at a different angle, child viewing at one angle, child viewing at a different angle, etc.). The various orientations may accommodate different parental heights as well as different ages and sizes of children. In some embodiments, pouch  100  may be configured to be oriented at different angles to correspond to the type or orientation of child seat in a stroller (i.e., forward-facing, upward-facing, backward-facing, etc.). In some embodiments, pouch  100  may include additional fabric configured like an accordion and any of the fasteners discussed above such that either side of pouch  100  may be angled and secured as desired. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the rear or non-viewing side of exemplary multimedia device pouch  200 . Pouch  200  may include one or more fasteners  202  and  204  configured to attach to the sides of a U-shaped handlebar, between two handles of a stroller, between two elements of a stroller frame, along a single frame element, or in a variety of other configurations. Fasteners  202  and  204  may include fabrics, screws, snaps, zippers, ties, elastic materials, and a variety of other fasteners and fastener combinations to attach pouch  200  to a variety of structural elements of a stroller. In one embodiment, fasteners  202  and  204  may include Velcro and fabric configured to wrap around and secure to tubular frame or handle elements on a stroller. 
     Pouch  200  may also include sunshade  210  providing additional material to protect a child traveling below in a stroller from the sun. In one embodiment, sunshade  210  may be attached to pouch  200  by Velcro or any other fastener, and also detachable from the main portion of pouch  200  when not needed. In another embodiment, pouch  200  may include a storage compartment or pocket in which sunshade  210 —whether detachable or not—may be stored when not in use. 
     Pouch  200  may also include additional fasteners, materials, and/or secondary pockets  212 ,  214 , and/or  216  that may be configured to provide alternative methods of attaching pouch  200  to a stroller or other ambulatory vehicle, to provide alternative viewing orientations, or to provide secondary pockets as mentioned above. In one embodiment, fasteners  212  and  216  may be configured to attach to a common stroller frame element, thereby providing an alternative attachment method and a different viewing orientation than fasteners  202  and  204 . In another embodiment, fasteners and materials  212 ,  214 , and  216  may be configured to provide a variety of viewing orientations by angling the multimedia device within pouch  200 , and securing the pouch at different viewing angles. Fasteners and materials  214  alone may also be configured to orient the multimedia device within pouch  200  at preconfigured angles by, for example, providing several snaps at different positions along an axis or a length of Velcro along an axis for a user-selectable orientation. One of skill in the art would recognize that there are a variety of options using additional folds of fabric, pockets, and additional fasteners like  212 ,  214 , and  216  that would provide a user with numerous orientations for viewing and/or interacting with a multimedia device within pouch  200 . In addition, fabric and fasteners  212 ,  214 , and  216  may comprise secondary pockets to provide additional storage as discussed above. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary multimedia device pouch  300  attached to stroller  318 . As illustrated, pouch  300  may be attached to the sides of U-shaped stroller handle  320  by fasteners  302  and  304 , which may include any of the fasteners described above. Pouch  300  may include pocket  306  with zipper  308  for enclosing multimedia device  330 . Pocket  306  may also include clear window  312  allowing for viewing and interacting with multimedia device  330  through window  312  when secured within pocket  306 . Pouch  300  may also include sunshade  310 , providing shade for a child seated in stroller seat  322 . In one embodiment, pouch  300  may be oriented in an upward-facing, angled position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates two-seated stroller  418  with exemplary multimedia device pouch  400  attached to stroller handle  420 . In one embodiment, pouch  400  may be attached to the sides of U-shaped stroller handle  420  such that window  412  is oriented in an upward-facing position, allowing for a multimedia device within pouch  400  to be visible through window  412  to a parent pushing stroller  418 . As illustrated, pouch  400  may be configured and attached to stroller  418  to provide shade to a child seated in stroller seat  422 . Pouch  400  may also include additional material illustrated as sunshade  410 , providing additional protection for a child seated in stroller seat  422 . In one embodiment, stroller handle  420  may be pivoted to a different angle so as to make window  412 —or the viewing side of pouch  400 —visible to a child seated in stroller seat  424 . In another embodiment, pouch  400  may be configured and attached such that window  412 —or the viewing side of pouch  400 —faces downward and is visible to a child seated in stroller seat  422 . In addition, extra folds of fabric and/or fasteners may be integrated into pouch  400  to allow pouch  400  to adjust to a variety of different viewing angles in relation to stroller handle  420 , thereby adjusting the viewing angle to suit the needs of parents and children of varying heights. Thus, pouch  400  may be configured to attach to stroller handle  420  in multiple orientations, and stroller handle  420  may be configured to pivot, thereby providing a wide variety of viewing orientations for both parents and children. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates stroller  518  with exemplary multimedia device pouch  500  attached to stroller handle  520  and configured in a downward-facing orientation for viewing by a child in a horizontal or reclined position in stroller seat  522 . In one embodiment, pouch  500  may be configured and attached to stroller handle  520  such that pocket  506  with window  512  faces downward toward a child traveling in stroller seat  522 . Pouch  500  may include additional folds of fabric and fasteners to allow a parent to angle pouch  500  in relation to stroller handle  520  to obtain the optimal viewing angle for a child traveling in stroller seat  522 . Beneficially, a parent may then employ multimedia devices held securely in pouch  500  to entertain a child traveling in stroller seat  522 , potentially allowing the parent additional time away from home with the child occupied. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates stroller  618  with exemplary multimedia device pouch  600  attached to stroller handle  620  and configured in a horizontal-facing orientation for viewing by a child in an upright position in stroller seat  624 . In one embodiment, pouch  600  may be configured and attached to stroller handle  620  with fastener  602  such that pocket  606  with window  612  faces in a horizontal direction toward a child traveling in stroller seat  624 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates stroller  718  with exemplary multimedia device pouch  700  attached to stroller handle  720  and configured in an upward-facing orientation for viewing by a parent pushing stroller  718 . Pouch  700  may be attached to stroller handle  720  using fastener  704 , which may be any fastener described above. Stroller handle  720  may be pivoted away from stroller seat  724  and above stroller seat  722  such that pouch  700  shades a child seated in stroller seat  722 . With pouch  700  attached and oriented with window  712  facing upward, a parent may interact with and view a multimedia device within pouch  700  while pushing stroller  718 . 
     In one embodiment, a stroller handle may be configured to pivot to one or more of the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , and a multimedia device pouch may be configured to attach to the stroller handle in a variety of orientations, thereby providing a variety of viewing orientations to parents and children. For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , stroller handle  520  may be pivoted to one side of stroller  518  away from stroller seat  524 , and pouch  500  may be attached such that window  512  faces down toward a child seated in stroller seat  522 . In a different variation, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , stroller handle  620  may be pivoted to a different side of stroller  618  away from child seat  622 , and pouch  600  may be attached such that window  612  faces in a horizontal direction toward a child seated in stroller seat  624 . In yet another variation, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , stroller handle  720  may be pivoted to one side of stroller  718  away from stroller seat  724 , and pouch  700  may be attached such that window  712  faces upward toward a parent pushing stroller  718 . Thus, multiple viewing orientations are obtainable by configuring a stroller handle to pivot to multiple positions and configuring a multimedia device pouch as described herein to attach to a stroller in multiple orientations. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive, and it should be understood that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.