Patent Publication Number: US-2023161386-A1

Title: Cell Phone Gripper

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a case for a mobile phone, as well as can more specifically relate to the actual shape of a mobile phone itself, in order to facilitate better functionality for a user. The present invention is a device that aids accessibility for better gripping, for better typing on keys, for those that are hard of seeing with a three-dimensional screen protector design, as well as can allow for various colors and brightness levels of illumination. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mobile phones and electronic devices have become a part of everyday life for many individuals. These electronic devices aid individuals in completing various tasks and communicating in a timely manner. Many of the mobile phones are designed with a similar rectangular shape and is standard across the industry. While many individuals have no problem holding and typing with a mobile phone, there are still many who have strained eyesight, motor skill issues, large fingers, and other issues preventing easy dialing or viewing the electronic screen. Many products have attempted to alleviate the issue of gripping the phone with rubberized phone cases, however, many of these phone cases still match the shape of the phone and do not provide any ergonomic benefit to the user. Further, many products have been designed to help hold the phone upwards on a surface, but many of these products must be inconveniently attached to the back of the phone taking up lots of space or easily fall off with improper adhesive attachment. An objective of the present invention is to provide users with a cell phone gripper, or with better technology for the actual phone itself to act as a gripper, having better ergonomic shape and function, to improve gripping, better holding, illumination of any color for easier dialing, easier navigating, and enhanced viewing. The present invention intends to provide users with a device that can improve the ease of use for individuals with bad eyesight or with low dexterity in their fingers. In order to accomplish that, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a case shell, a screen cover, and a stand. Further, the stand allows the present invention to hold a phone upwards on a surface. Further another enhancement of the invention is the capability of a greater illumination, which can be of any color, and can allow the user for better visualization of the keys as well, or potentially used as a guiding light when walking, to find keys, or when used anywhere in the dark. Thus, the present invention is an innovative cell phone gripper that provides increased accessibility for individuals with bad eyesight and low finger dexterity with cell phone use while providing an aesthetically pleasing design. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a cell phone gripper to help with allowing individuals to use their phones easier. The present invention seeks to provide users with a device that can increase visibility, stand upwards on its own, illumination of any color, and increase the ease of holding. In order to accomplish this the present invention comprises a case shell that provides an ergonomic design to the user. Further, the screen cover increases the accessibility and visibility for individuals with low dexterity or bad vision. Additionally, the stand allows the present invention to be positioned upwards without any external devices. Thus, the present invention is an innovative cell phone gripper that provides increased accessibility for individuals with bad eyesight and low finger dexterity with cell phone use while providing added illumination and an aesthetically pleasing design. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a right-side view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a left-side view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross sectional view of one embodiment showing the connectors attached to the screen cover of present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the present invention is a cell phone gripper (device)  100 . An objective of the present invention is to provide users an aesthetically pleasing device that aids the user with holding a cell phone. The present invention intends to provide users with a device that can increase visibility of the phone screen with upwards standing capacity. To accomplish this the present invention comprises a case shell or casing  10 , a screen cover  20 , and a stand  30 . Many of these components allow for the user to easily hold the device  100  and interact with small icons on an electronic device such as small icons on a phone screen. 
     The case shell  10  has the screen cover  20  attached along the front side of the present invention as shown in  FIG.  2   . Along the back side of the case shell  10  is the stand  30  that extends outwards to allow a phone to stand upwards vertically. Thus, the present invention is an innovative cell phone gripper  100  that provides increased accessibility for individuals with bad eyesight and low finger dexterity with cell phone use while providing an aesthetically pleasing design. 
     The present invention holds a cell phone with the case shell  10 . In one embodiment, the case shell  10  is designed with a sturdy rubber material with rectangular shape that can encompass a mobile phone or any other similar electronic devices. 
     In one embodiment, the device  100  of the present invention can be shaped to fit comfortably within a user&#39;s hand. The case shell  10  can be formed from a pliable medium or deformable medium, such as foamed polyurethane plastic or sponge rubber, that deforms in response to the user&#39;s grip. The case shell  10  can also be elastic so that it will return to its original shape when the user&#39;s grip loosens. 
     In some embodiments, the case shell  10  may define a recess  22  sized to receive at least a portion of an electronic device therein. In some embodiments, the recess  22  may include a fastener configured to hold an electronic device therein. Such fasteners include a snap fit fastener or a magnetic clasp. 
     The plurality of ridges (protrusion)  15  can be placed on the case shell  10  and can be designed with a suitable material with a rounded shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of ridges (protrusion)  15  can be made from a sturdy rubber material. 
     The ridges (protrusion)  15  can be positioned along the left and right edge (surface) of the case shell  10  as seen in  FIGS.  1  to  3   . 
     In one embodiment, the ridges (protrusion)  15  may form protrusions  15  and cavities  16 , the case shell  10  may include a top surface  10   a  and a bottom surface  10   b , a right surface  10   c  and a left surface  10   d , the right surface  10   c  of the device  100  includes a plurality of spaced apart cavities  16  and a plurality of spaced apart protrusions  15 , which sequentially are a first protrusion  15  beginning at the first end, a first cavity  16 , and a last protrusion  15  terminating in the bottom end, the left surface  10   d  of the device  100  includes a plurality of spaced apart cavities  16  and a plurality of spaced apart protrusions  15 , which sequentially are a first protrusion  15  beginning at the first end, a first cavity  16 , and a last protrusion  15  terminating in the bottom end. 
     In its preferred embodiment, the plurality of ridges  15  forms an hourglass shape (e.g., a cavity  16  and two spaced apart protrusions  15 ) so that the case shell  10  can allow for the present invention to be held easier while retaining a pleasing aesthetic design. The case shell  10  can include any type of hourglass shape (to accommodate any cell phone with an hourglass shape). 
     The plurality of ridges  15  additionally, allows the device  100  to be stored within a bag, purse, pocket or wallet in an easier manner. It should be further noted that, the case shell  10  can be created in many various shapes and sizes and the plurality of ridges  15  can be designed with many variations while still staying within the scope of the present invention. 
     The screen cover  20  connects with the case shell  10  along the front side of the case shell  10 . In its preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  8   , the screen cover  20  comprises a plurality of buttons  40 , a plurality of connectors  50  and cover lights  60 . 
     The plurality of buttons  40  is positioned on the front of the screen cover  20 . The plurality of buttons  40  can be designed with numbers, letters or symbols in a keyboard form that increases the visibility of a phone screen positioned below the screen cover  20 . Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of buttons  40  provides three-dimensionality for the user to easily interact with a phone keyboard/pad. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention includes a plurality of connectors  50 . Positioned below the plurality of buttons  40  is the plurality of connectors  50 . The plurality of connectors  50  takes the pressed input from each button  40  and translates it to the phone screen to target the desired area to ensure the button  40  links properly with the right number or letter on the phone screen. 
     In one embodiment, the connectors  50  may be at least one position adjustable pin  50 , as shown in  FIG.  8   . In some embodiments, the position adjustable pin  50  can be configured to move its position around the center of a button  40 . The position adjustable pin  50  may be moved with reference to the center of the corresponding button  40  for a predetermined distance so that the number or symbol on the screen cover  20  matches the corresponding number or symbol on the electronic device (e.g., smart phone). The position of the pin  50  can be made adjustable by using an adjustment mechanism known in the art which allows vertical and/or horizontal movement of the pin  50  with reference to center of a button  40 . 
     Further, below the plurality of buttons  40  is the cover light  60  that illuminates each button  40  with a white color or any other color or illumination-type color to ensure the user can properly see the plurality of buttons  40  with ease. This design allows for the cover light  60  to illuminate the numbers and letters without the light from a phone screen. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the cover light  60  can be designed with various colors to illuminate the plurality of buttons  40 . 
     In some embodiments, the cover light  60  may be configured to be connected to at least one power source (e.g., a battery that can be placed in the case shell or a cell phone that can provide power). 
     The stand  30  connects to the back of the case shell  10 . In one embodiment, the stand  30  is designed with a metal material with one or more cylindrical (or other shaped) members that have a shorter length than the case shell  10 , emanating from the central internal area, bottom area, or back area of the phone. 
     It should be noted that any material (for the case shell  10  or any cell phone components used with the present invention) should be considered to be within the present scope. 
     In its preferred embodiment, the stand  30  comprises a hinge known in the art. The hinge connects the stand  30  to the case shell  10 . This design allows the stand  30  to easily pivot outwardly from the case shell  10  to from a tripod stand for the present invention as seen in  FIGS.  3 - 7   . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the stand  30  can be designed to fold internally, externally, compress into the case shell  10  or even be completely removable and reconnected via a fastener. Further, in an alternative embodiment the stand  30  can extend outwards from the bottom two corners of the case shell  10 . This allows the stand  30  to extend downwards instead of folding outwards to ensure the present invention can stand upright. With all the components working in tandem with each other it can be seen that, the present invention is an innovative cell phone gripper that provides increased accessibility for individuals with bad eyesight and low finger dexterity with cell phone use while providing an aesthetically pleasing design. 
     It should be noted that all aspects of the components on the phone, the numbers/digits, power buttons, “home” buttons, etc. may all have the capability of being three-dimensional (as well as illuminating), but they don&#39;t necessarily have to be in order for the invention to work. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.