Patent Publication Number: US-8523031-B2

Title: Lanyard apparatus for carrying devices

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to hand held electronic devices and, more particularly, to apparatus for carrying hand held electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hand held personal communication devices, such as cell phones, have become ubiquitous. Typically, these devices are carried in a person&#39;s pocket or in a bag such as a pocket book. As such, these devices may be readily separable from a person and may be subject to being stolen or damaged, particularly if dropped. These devices typically have display screens that are quite easily susceptible to damage when dropped. In addition, theses devices typically contain large amounts of information, as well as access to data banks of additional information. As such, loss or destruction of a personal communication device can be expensive as well as a substantial inconvenience to an owner. 
     SUMMARY 
     It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for carrying hand held electronic devices, such as cell phones, includes a flexible substrate and a lanyard secured to the substrate. The substrate has opposite first and second surfaces and opposite first and second end portions. A layer of adhesive material is applied to at least a portion of the substrate first surface, and a protective layer of material is releasably secured to the adhesive material. When the protective layer is removed, the adhesive material is exposed such that the substrate can be secured to a housing of a hand held electronic device via the adhesive material. The adhesive material is intended to securely attach the substrate to the housing of a device and such that removal therefrom is difficult. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the layer of adhesive material is capable of withstanding 1,000 grams of shear at 72° F. in accordance with ASTM D3654. The lanyard allows for the substrate and an attached electronic device to be suspended around the neck of a user. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate is a strong, woven fabric, such as rip-stop nylon, rip-stop polyester, or silk, and has a thickness of less than about 0.015 inches. The substrate may have various shapes and configurations including, but not limited to, a polygonal shape, a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and an hourglass shape. Moreover, the substrate may be easily cut by an end user to have any shape and/or configuration desired. In addition, the substrate may have apertures, cut-outs, and other configurations to accommodate a camera lens, speaker, or other feature in the housing of an electronic device. For example, the substrate may include an aperture formed therein through which a camera lens in the housing is exposed when the substrate is secured to the housing. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the lanyard is secured to the substrate first end portion via an attachment loop extending therefrom. The lanyard may be secured directly to the attachment loop or may be secured to the attachment loop via one or more couplers. The attachment loop may be a strap of flexible material sewn to the substrate, for example via a heat-resistant thread (e.g., aramid or similar fiber thread). In some embodiments, the strap of flexible material and the substrate are formed of the same or similar fabric. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate second surface has a tactile configuration that facilitates gripping by a user&#39;s hand. For example, the tactile configuration may include an array of raised portions extending outwardly from the substrate second surface. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate second surface comprises indicia. The substrate second surface may also have a blank space area thereon for receiving indicia, such as the name of the owner of an electronic device. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a patch is adhesively secured to the substrate second surface. The patch may include indicia thereon. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the protective layer of material may include a pattern thereon for facilitating cutting an aperture in the flexible substrate by a user. For example, a pattern for an aperture may be located on the protective layer of material at a location of a camera lens, etc. 
     According to other embodiments of the present invention, a protective case for a hand held electronic device includes a substrate and a lanyard secured to the substrate. The protective case includes a base surface upon which a back of a housing of an electronic device will be placed against. The substrate is adhesively secured to the base surface, and the lanyard is secured to the substrate and allows the protective case and an attached electronic device to be suspended around the neck of a user. The adhesive material utilized is intended to securely attach the substrate to the base surface such that removal therefrom is difficult. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the layer of adhesive material is capable of withstanding 1,000 grams of shear at 72° F. in accordance with ASTM D3654. 
     The substrate is a strong, woven fabric, such as rip-stop nylon, rip-stop polyester, or silk, and has a thickness of less than about 0.015 inches. The substrate may have various shapes and configurations including, but not limited to, a polygonal shape, a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and an hourglass shape. Moreover, the substrate may be easily cut by an end user to have any shape and/or configuration desired. In addition, the substrate may have apertures, cut-outs, and other configurations to accommodate openings and various other features of the protective case. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the lanyard is secured to an end portion of the substrate via an attachment loop extending therefrom. The lanyard may be secured directly to the attachment loop or may be secured to the attachment loop via one or more couplers. The attachment loop may be a strap of flexible material sewn to the substrate, for example via a heat-resistant aramid thread or similar fiber thread. In some embodiments, the strap of flexible material and the substrate are formed of the same or similar fabric. 
     It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate some exemplary embodiments. The drawings and description together serve to fully explain the exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for carrying hand held electronic devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an electronic device with the apparatus of  FIG. 1  secured thereto, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the substrate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  taken along lines  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of an apparatus for carrying hand held electronic devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention, and wherein an aperture is formed in the substrate to expose a camera lens in the housing of an electronic device. 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  are plan views illustrating various shapes of a substrate for an apparatus for carrying hand held electronic devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary protective case for a hand held electronic device that includes an apparatus for carrying the hand held electronic device, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a hand held electronic device with the protective case of  FIG. 6  secured thereto, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the substrate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating a tactile outer surface configuration, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the substrate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating indicia on an outer surface thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the substrate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating a space on an outer surface thereof for receiving indicia thereon, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are perspective views of the substrate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating a patch being secured to an outer surface thereof, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  are perspective views of the substrate of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating patterns formed on the removable protective layer of material, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, certain components or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines may illustrate optional features or elements unless specified otherwise. In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated with another embodiment or figure although not specifically described or shown as such. 
     It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”. 
     As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.” 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various features or elements, these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  for carrying hand held devices is illustrated. Exemplary devices that may be carried by apparatus  10  include, but are not limited to, electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, electronic book devices, etc. in addition, various non electronic devices may be carried by apparatus  10  including, but not limited to, medicine containers, cigarette cases, remote controls for electronic devices, eyeglass cases, bottle of hand sanitizer, etc. 
     The illustrated apparatus  10  includes a flexible substrate  12  and a lanyard  14  secured to the substrate  12 . The lanyard  14  allows for the substrate  12  and an attached electronic device ( 20 ,  FIG. 2 ) to be suspended around the neck of a user. The substrate  12  has opposite first and second surfaces  12   a ,  12   b  and opposite first and second end portions  12   c ,  12   d . A layer of adhesive material  16  ( FIG. 3 ) is applied to at least a portion of the substrate first surface  12   a , and a protective layer of material  18  ( FIG. 3 ), such as kraft paper, etc., is releasably secured to the adhesive material  16 . The protective layer of material  18  is configured to be removed from the adhesive material  16  by a user, for example, via one or more tabs, or via a slit formed in the protective layer of material  18 . When the protective layer of material  18  is removed, the adhesive material is exposed such that the substrate  12  can be secured to a housing H of a hand held electronic device  20  via the adhesive material  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The adhesive material  16  is intended to securely attach the substrate  12  to the housing H of an electronic or other device  20  and such that removal of the substrate  12  from the device is difficult. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the layer of adhesive material  16  is capable of withstanding 1,000 grams of shear at 72° F. in accordance with ASTM D3654. 
     The substrate  12  may be a woven fabric formed from a variety of fibers having sufficient tensile strength. Exemplary fibers include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyester, silk, wool, hemp and cotton. In one embodiment, the substrate  12  is formed from parachute material. Exemplary parachute material includes, but is not limited to, rip-stop nylon, rip-stop polyester, and silk. Rip-stop nylon is a light weight, water repellent nylon fabric with inter-woven rip-stop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch pattern, so the material resists ripping or tearing. Similarly, rip-stop polyester is a light weight, water repellent polyester fabric with inter-woven rip-stop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch pattern, so the material resists ripping or tearing. However, various types of fabrics may be utilized. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any particular type of material. Moreover, the substrate  12  is not limited to woven fabrics. In some embodiments of the present invention a nonwoven fabric may be utilized. Furthermore, the substrate  12  is not required to be a fabric. The substrate  12  may be any type of material that can be adhesively secured to the housing of an electronic device and that has sufficient strength to remain securely adhered to the housing of an electronic device. In addition, the substrate  12  is not required to be a flexible material. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate  12  is a thin material, for example, having a thickness of less than about 0.015 inches, for example: 0.014 inch, 0.013 inch, 0.012 inch, 0.011 inch, 0.010 inch, 0.009 inch, 0.008 inch, 0.007 inch, 0.006 inch, 0.005 inch, 0.004 inch, 0.003 inch, 0.002 inch, 0.001 inch, 0.0005 inch, 0.00025 inch, etc. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the substrate  12  only having a thickness of less than about 0.015 inches. Fabrics and materials having other thicknesses can be utilized, as well. For example, fabrics and materials having a thickness of 0.015 inches, as well as thicknesses greater than 0.015 inches may be utilized (e.g., 0.020 inch, 0.025 inch, 0.030 inch, 0.035 inch, 0.040 inch, 0.045 inch, 0.050 inch, 0.055 inch, 0.060 inch, 0.065 inch, 0.070 inch, 0.075 inch, 0.080 inch, 0.085 inch, 0.090 inch, 0.095 inch, 0.10 inch, 0.15 inch, 0.20 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.30 inch, etc.). 
     The substrate  12  may have a waterproof or water-resistant coating on the outer or second surface  12   b . Exemplary coatings include, but are not limited to, urethane coatings. 
     Many hand held communication devices have cameras, and a camera lens is often positioned on the rear housing thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a camera lens  32  is positioned in a medial portion of the housing H of electronic device  20 . The substrate  12  secured to the housing H has an aperture  30  formed therein through which the camera lens  32  is exposed. Some hand held communication devices with cameras include the camera lens in other locations, for example, in the upper left corner thereof. A substrate  12 , according to some embodiments of the present invention can have a configuration to accommodate various locations of a camera lens, speaker, etc. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , the upper left corner of the substrate  12  is cut away. The cut away corner allows for the substrate  12  to be secured to an electronic device such that the upper left corner of the housing of an electronic device containing a camera lens, speaker, etc., is not covered. 
     In addition, a substrate  12 , according to embodiments of the present invention, may have various shapes and configurations as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5D . For example, the substrate may have a rectangular shape ( FIG. 5A ), an oval shape ( FIG. 5B ), an hourglass shape ( FIG. 5C ). Although not illustrated, the substrate  12  can have virtually any polygonal shape. In addition, the substrate  12  can have various configurations to accommodate the shape and/or functionality of an electronic device. Moreover, a substrate  12 , according to embodiments of the present invention, may be cut by a user to have any shape and/or configuration desired. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated substrate  12  includes an attachment loop  40  extending from the substrate first end portion  12 C, and the lanyard  14  is secured to the substrate first end portion  12   c  via the attachment loop  40 . The attachment loop  40  is a strap of flexible material sewn to the substrate  12  via thread  42 . Exemplary thread  42  may include, but is not limited to, thread formed from heat resistant aramatic polyamide (e.g., Kevlar® brand fiber from DuPont, Wilmington, Del.) or similar fibers. In some embodiments, the strap of flexible material and the substrate are formed of the same or similar fabric, such as, for example, rip-stop nylon, rip-stop polyester, silk, etc. However, the attachment loop  40  may be formed from a different material (e.g., grow grain ribbon material, etc.). In addition, the ends of the attachment loop  40  may be tucked under when stitched to the substrate  12 . 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the lanyard  14  is secured directly to the attachment loop  40 . However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the lanyard  14  may be secured to the attachment loop  40  via one or more couplers. Exemplary couplers that may be utilized include, but are not limited to clips, carabiners, key rings, etc. The lanyard  14  may be a cord, such as a braided cord, a strap, a rope, a string, etc. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any particular type of length of lanyard  14 . 
     In addition, embodiments of the present invention do not require a lanyard. In some embodiments, a clip or other coupling device attached to the attachment loop  40  may be utilized to secure the substrate and a device adhesively attached thereto to a belt loop, pocket, purse, handbag, or other article or article of clothing. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate second surface  12   b  has a tactile configuration that facilitates gripping by a user&#39;s hand. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the tactile configuration may include an array of raised portions  50  extending outwardly from the substrate second surface  12   b . However, various ways known to those of skill in the art of the present invention may be utilized for providing a tactile feel to the substrate second surface  12   b  to facilitate gripping by a user. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to an array of raised portions. Various ways of making the second surface  12   b  tactile are known and can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the substrate second surface may include various promotional and/or other indicia  60 . The terms “indicia” and “promotional indicia” are intended to include all types of printed material including, but not limited to, text, lettering (i.e., alphabetical characters, alphanumeric characters), designs, characters, logos, images, graphics, symbols, etc. Moreover, indicia and promotional indicia may be utilized virtually anywhere on the substrate second surface  12   b , as well as on the attachment loop  40 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the substrate  12  can be woven in a pattern to provide a decorative effect or indicia. Moreover, the substrate  12  can be woven to provide the second surface  12   b  with a tactile configuration. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the substrate second surface  12   b  may also have a blank space area  70  thereon for receiving indicia  72 . For example, the owner of an electronic device  20  can write his/her name within the blank space area  70 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11C , a patch  80  may be adhesively secured to the substrate second surface  12   b . The patch  80  may include various promotional and/or other indicia, and the patch  80  may have various shapes and configurations. In some embodiments of the present invention, a patch  80  may be adhesively secured to the substrate second surface  12   b  without requiring additional pressure or heat. In other embodiments of the present invention, a patch  80  may be an “iron-on” patch and is adhesively secured to the substrate second surface  12   b  with the application of pressure or heat, as illustrated in  FIG. 11C . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the removable, protective layer of material  18  may include one or more patterns that facilitate forming cutouts in the substrate  12 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12C . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 12A , three cutout patterns  90   a ,  90   b , and  90   c  are printed or otherwise formed on the protective layer of material  18 . Each pattern  90   a ,  90   b ,  90   c  corresponds to a camera lens or other element of a respective different electronic device. For example, pattern  90   a  corresponds to a camera lens for cell phone A, pattern  90   b  corresponds to a camera lens for cell phone B, and pattern  90   c  corresponds to a camera lens for cell phone C. A user folds the substrate  12  along the middle of each cutout pattern to facilitate cutting an aperture in the substrate  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, a user has folded the substrate  12  in  FIG. 12B  to facilitate cutting an aperture in the substrate  12  using pattern  90   a . The resulting aperture  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 12C . Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to patterns being formed only on the protective layer of material  18 . In other embodiments, patterns may be printed or otherwise formed on the substrate first surface  12   a . Moreover, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated patterns. Patterns of various shapes and sizes may be utilized. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a protective case  100  for a hand held electronic device  20 , according to some embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. The illustrated protective case  100  includes a base wall  102  and a raised peripheral wall  104  extending outwardly from the base wall  102  that defines a cavity  106  for receiving an electronic device  20  therein, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Typically, an electronic device  20  is snugly received within such a protective case  100 . As such, when an electronic device  20  is inserted within the cavity  106 , the back of the housing of the electronic device  20  typically is in face-to-face contact with the surface  102   a  of the base wall  102  or is closely adjacent to the surface  102   a  of the base wall  102 . Protective cases having various shapes and/or configurations may be utilized with embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated case  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the protective case  100  also includes a flexible substrate  12  and a lanyard  14  secured to the substrate  12 , as described above, that allows the protective case  100  and an attached electronic device  20  to be suspended around the neck of a user. The substrate  12  is adhesively secured to the base wall surface  102   a  as described above. The adhesive material  16  utilized is intended to securely attach the substrate  12  to the base surface  102   a  such that removal therefrom is difficult. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive material is capable of withstanding 1,000 grams of shear at 72° F. in accordance with ASTM D3654. 
     The substrate  12  may have various shapes and configurations to accommodate the shape and/or functionality of a protective case  100 . Also, the illustrated substrate  12  includes an attachment loop  40  extending from the substrate first end portion  12 C, and the lanyard is secured to the substrate first end portion via the attachment loop. As described above, the attachment loop  40  is a strap of flexible material sewn to the substrate  12  via thread  42 . Exemplary thread  42  may include, but is not limited to, a heat-resistant aramid or similar fiber  42 . In some embodiments, the strap of flexible material and the substrate are formed of the same or similar fabric, such as, for example, rip-stop nylon, rip-stop polyester, silk etc. In the illustrated embodiments, the lanyard  14  is secured directly to the attachment loop  40 . However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the lanyard  14  may be secured to the attachment loop  40  via a coupler, as described above. 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.