Patent Publication Number: US-2013240578-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; the case having a housing for the coupling of a wrist attachment system; and the method to carry the case on the wrist and a finger by hanging the device from the wrist attachment system, and then locked and move the device into a stowed position on the underside of a user&#39;s wrist. 
     The wrist attachment system comprises a case to enclose the mobile device, the case having an opening adapted to receive a case tether having a housing portion; a base flexibly coupled to case tether; a wrist brace tether and a finger ring coupled to slots on the base; and a case lock to secure the case in a closed position. 
     Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following. A finger ring can be worn on a finger and secured to the base. A wrist brace can be worn on a wrist and slidably coupled 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. In order to provide the best viewing and typing angles, the device flexibly allows the Case to: 
     1. pivot up;
 
2. pivot from side to side;
 
3. rotate 360 degrees; and
 
4. allow for further flexibility a hinge on the Tether-housing allows the housing to go up and down.
 
     To offer further mobility and with the use of the Tether-housing, the Case can be detached from the tether. The case 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. 
     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. 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 using the present system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly to carry a mobile device attached to a user&#39;s wrist. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly in an unlocked position and in use by a user. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly and with its case detached from its base, along with the 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 case lock assembly to carry a mobile device attached to a user&#39;s wrist. Case  306  is a case, designed to protect a phone or a mobile device. The case  306  contains a hole  304  to accommodate for a camera built-in to the mobile device. 
     A case lock assembly  320  and a base hinge assembly  316  secure the Case  306  to the base  302 . In  FIG. 1 , the case lock assembly  320  is located on the head of the base  306 . The case lock assembly  320  comprises of an unlock switch  322  and two springs within its housing. One of the springs within the housing raises the case  306  up when it is unlocked from the locked position. To unlock, a user would press in the unlock switch  322  and the case  306  is released from its locked position and raised up. To lock the case into the closed position, a user would align the case  306 &#39;s lock hole  350  [see  FIG. 3 ] with the half circle hinge lock pin  352  [see also  FIG. 3 ] on the half circle hinge  312  and presses the half circle hinge  312  down toward the base  302 . When it reaches the locked position, the case lock assembly  320  locks the half circle hinge  312  and the case  306  in its closed position. When the unlock switch  322  is not pressed down, the other spring holds the unlock switch  322  extended and in closed position. 
     The base hinge assembly  316  comprises of a base hinge  314  that attaches a half circle hinge  312  to the base  302 , the half circle hinge  312  holds the Case  306  by a case tether  310  and a tether-housing  308 . The base hinge  314  allows the mobile device to rotate on one axis and to move up and down while the half circle hinge  312  allows the mobile device to move in another axis and to move from side to side in the user&#39;s hands. The half circle hinge  312  also allows the Case to pivot hundred-eighty degrees. The case tether  310  is allowed to rotate freely. Case tether  310  can rotate three hundred and sixty degree on its axis and is being retained by the half circle hinge  312 ; the other end is jointed with the tether-housing  308  via a tether-housing-hinge  354  [see  FIG. 3 ]. The tether-housing-hinge  354  offers further usage flexibility due to its ability to enable the tether-housing  308  to move up and down. The tether-housing  308  is then tied to the case  306  by a lock pin  336  and fixed pin  332  ( FIG. 3 ), which are inserted into a raised rim  326  on the case  306 . The tether-housing  308  allows the Case  306  to rotate 360 degrees. These features allow the user to type, take pictures, and complete other activities with ease. 
     Base  302  secures the Case  306  to a user&#39;s wrist with several components. A finger ring  318  holds the base  302  to a user&#39;s finger. On the other side, a wristband tether  328  and a wrist brace  330  secures the base  302  to a user&#39;s wrist. The wrist brace  330  can include a wristband and a strap slidably coupled to the wrist. The wrist brace  330  is pivotably and rotatably coupled to one end of the case. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly 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 finger. The Case  306  is allowed to swivel by the tether-housing  308  (see  FIG. 1 ). The inside of the raised rim  334  coupled with the fixed pin  332  and the lock pin  336  [see  FIG. 3 ] of the tether-housing  308  to lock the Case  306  into place, while allowing the Case  306  to freely rotate. 
     The case lock assembly  320  releases the edge of the Case  306  into the opened position and allows for free movement of the case  306  and mobile device. Base hinge assembly  316  [see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ] confines the Case  306  while it is in its facedown position. The base hinge  314  and the half circle hinge  312  [see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ] locks the case  306  onto the base  302 , and allows for the swivel movement of the Case  306 . While the Case is upright, the slots  338  for wristband tether  328  are revealed. These slots  338  secure the wristband tether  328  to the base  302 . In turn, the wristband tether  328  is secured to the wrist brace  330 . Finger ring  318  and Wrist brace  330  works together to keep the base  302  in place. As the figure demonstrates, the apparatus allows for a great range of movement of the mobile device. All of the hinge assemblies  316 ,  320 ,  354 ,  308  and case tether  310 , work in combination to allow the mobile device to be moved to many positions for texting, pictures, video viewing, etc. by a user. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly and with its case detached from its base, along with the finger ring, wrist brace and wristband tether. The case  306  is not connected to the tether-housing  308 , therefore revealing the space that is reserved for lock pin  336  and fixed pin  332 . The fixed pin  332  and lock pin  336  hooks onto the underside of the raised rim  326  to lock the mobile device into place on the tether-housing  308 . Since the lock pin  336  and fixed pin  332  hook inside the case, appropriate pin space  340  [see  FIG. 2 ] is to be reserved for the pins. 
     To attach the Case  306  to a tether-housing  308 , a user would press in the tether-housing unlock lever  307  which in turn retrieve the lock pin  336  into the tether-housing  308 , and place the tether-housing&#39;s bottom half into the raised rim  326  of the case  306 . Releasing the tether-housing unlock lever  307  will extend the lock pin  336  and will lock the tether-housing  308  onto the raised rim  326 , thus locking the Case  306  in place. To release the case  306  from the tether-housing  308 , a use must press the tether-housing unlock lever  307 . Doing so will cause the lock pin  336  to depress, which releases the case  306 . Case  306  can be detached from the tether-housing  308  and be carried and used separately. 
     This figure also shows the case tether  310 , wristband tether  328 , wrist brace  330  and flexible finger ring  318 . The case tether  310  is able to rotate three hundred and sixty degrees on a rotary hinge  348  within the half circle hinge  312 . This provides an even larger range of movement of the Case  306 . The flexible finger ring  318  is to be worn on user&#39;s middle finger. The wristband tether  328  is looped and locked in around the wrist brace  330  and the loop can slide around the wrist brace  330 . To adjust the length of the wristband tether  328 , a user can loop one end of the wristband tether  328  up or down the end and attach its hooks to the appropriate loops or snap button to its proper receptacle. 
     This figure also shows the configuration of a wrist brace  330 . The Wrist brace  330  is secured to base  302  by a wristband tether  328 , which coupled with slots  338  on the base  302 . Wrist brace  330  would be strapped around a user&#39;s wrist and be secured by two straps of Velcro: one with microscopic hooks  342  and another strip with microscopic loops  344 . The wrist brace  330  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  228 ,  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 device flexibly allows the Case to:
 
a) pivot up and down.
 
b) pivot from side to side and
 
c) rotate 360 degrees
 
     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 convenient apparatus for carrying, using and protecting a personal mobile device such as a cell phone or camera attached to a user&#39;s wrist. The device incorporates a case which provides protection for the personal electronic device and a wrist attachment to allow the user to move the device into position for use, rotate and extend the device as needed for use, and then move the device into a stowed position on the underside of a user&#39;s wrist. 
     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.