Patent Publication Number: US-2013240380-A1

Title: Electronic device case having an elastic stabilization strap

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 61/611,518, filed Mar. 15, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mobile electronic device accessories and, more particularly, to a case (protective or for other purposes) having an elastic strap on the back side thereof to stabilize the device with finger(s) while using it. 
     Electronic devices, such as smart phones, including the iPhone® 4 have a poor form factor and are difficult to stabilize while using. Conventional straps are often loose in both attachment to the device and in securing to the hand or fingers of the user. Moreover, conventional straps are non-discreet and do not allow the mobile device to retain a slim profile. Other straps may have loose parts, such as a tether cord or some other strap which may get caught on other items (for example, in a bag, pocketbook or the like) and does not retain the device&#39;s otherwise slim profile. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved device case that has an elastic stabilization strap. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a case for a portable electronic device comprises an elastic strap disposed along at least a portion of a back side of the case, wherein the elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back side of the case when not in use, and the strap is operable to stretch to allow one or more fingers of a user to fit between the elastic strap and the case. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a case for a mobile communication device comprises an elastic strap disposed along at least a portion of a back side of the case; a first slit and a second slit formed in the case, the strap fitting into the first slit and the second slit, wherein the elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back side of the case when not in use, and the strap is operable to stretch to allow one or more fingers of a user to fit between the elastic strap and the case; and the strap is stitched together to form a continuous loop. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, a case for a mobile communication device comprises an elastic strap disposed along at least a portion of a back side of the case; a first slit and a second slit formed in the case, the strap fitting into the first slit and the second slit; a hook disposed on a first end of the strap and a loop formed on a second, opposite end of the strap, wherein the hook catches into the loop to form a continuous loop, wherein the elastic strap rests substantially flat along the back side of the case when not in use, and the strap is operable to stretch to allow one or more fingers of a user to fit between the elastic strap and the case. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic device case, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing the electronic device case of  FIG. 1  separated from the electronic device; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the electronic device case with the electronic device disposed therein; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an inside view of the electronic device case with a sewn-in strap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an inside view of the electronic device case with a removable, hook-in strap according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a hook-in strap used with the electronic device case of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the electronic device case used with the hook-in strap of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a case for a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone. In some embodiments, the case may be designed specifically for any version of the iPhone®. The case includes an elastic strap on the back side thereof to stabilize the device with one or more fingers while using it. The elastic strap may fit snuggly against the case when not in use, thereby not taking away from the slim form factor of the smartphone. A user can slide one or more fingers under the elastic strap on the back of the smartphone case to stabilize and secure the phone in the palm of the user, keeping the thumb free for typing. The elastic strap can pass through slots in the case and can be sewn together to form a loop or can include a hook on one end and a loop on another end to removably attach the elastic strap to the case. 
     Referring now to the Figures, an elastic strap  10  may be attached to the back of a portable electronic device case, such as a smartphone case  12 . In some embodiments, the strap  10  may be attached to the inside back of the case  12  and fed through two small slits  18  formed in the back of the case  12 . In some embodiments, the strap  10  may be formed as a continuous loop of material formed through these slits  18 , held together with stitching  24 , for example. In other embodiments, the strap  10  may terminate on ends just inside slits  18  in the back of the case  12 . 
     In other embodiments, the strap  10  may include a hook  20  on a first end thereof and a loop  22  formed in a second, opposite end of the strap  10 . The strap  10  can pass through the slits  18  and connect with the hook  20  being connected into the loop  22  to form a continuous strap. Regardless of design, the strap  10  may be secured to and extend from the back side of the case as shown by the dashed line in  FIG. 4  when in use, fitting snuggly therealong when not in use, however, immediately accessible by the user  16  when desired. 
     The strap  10  may be made from various materials, in various widths and thicknesses. Typically, the strap  10  may be designed to elastically deform to securely hold one or more fingers of the user  16 . 
     The strap  10  may be positioned at various locations or angle along the back of the device. For example, the strap  10  may be positioned on a lower half of the back of the case  12  for smartphones, allowing the user  16  to type with their thumb while one or more fingers are inserted into the strap  10 . In some embodiments, the strap  10  may extend over a longer portion of the case  12 , or may have additional stretch to allow the strap  10  to be worn on a user&#39;s wrist. Regardless of the size, location, or angle of the strap  10  on the case  12 , the strap  10  may be resiliently designed so that the strap  10  returns to position, snuggly alongside the case  12  when not in use. 
     The case  12  can include a camera hole  14 , as shown in the Figures. However, the camera hole  14  is optional, depending on the electronic device for which the case  12  is designed. The camera hole  14  could be made in different sizes, shapes and positioned in different locations, for example. 
     The strap  10  and case  12  may be made from various materials in various colors. In some embodiments, the strap  10  may include a base elastic material having a covering to hide or disguise the elastic. For example, a leather covering may be applied to the strap  10  so that a leather material is seen when the strap  10  is not in use, but the elastic may still stretch to allow a user to insert their finger(s), wrist, or the like. Other materials and designs may be used for the strap  10  and case  12  within the scope of the present invention. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.