PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9756928-B2
Application Number: US-201414499015-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Armband for holding an electronic device

Abstract:
An armband that holds an electronic device is presented. The armband includes a pouch which includes a window and an opening configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap wherein the proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: holes arranged in a specified pattern; loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to the pouch configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable computing device, including:
 a device housing that houses an electronic device, the electronic device having a curved display surface and an input area, wherein the input area is configured to receive a touch input; and 
 a first strap having a first end coupled to the device housing, the first strap extending from the device housing and engaging with a second strap for securing the portable computing device to an appendage; 
 wherein the first strap includes a rear side with a rear side fastening cell and a front side with a front side fastening cell, the front side fastening cell configured to couple to the rear side fastening cell, and 
 wherein the first strap is secured from attachment to other materials by wrapping the first strap around the electronic device and engaging the rear side fastening cell to the front side fastening cell. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap includes a plurality of holes. 
     
     
       3. The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap includes a second end and the second strap includes a first end and second end, and wherein the first strap and second strap are configured such that when the second ends are engaged with each other, the second ends terminate within a perimeter defined by the first strap and the second strap. 
     
     
       4. The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the device housing includes an aperture through which the display surface of the electronic device is visible to a user of the portable electronic computing device. 
     
     
       5. The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap is configured to be secured to the device housing and released from the device housing based on an adjustment to the first strap by a user. 
     
     
       6. The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the second strap includes a first end coupled to the device housing and a second end with a ring portion having an opening, and wherein the first strap passes through the opening in the ring portion of the second strap when the first strap is wrapped around the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the second strap includes a first end coupled to the device housing and a second end with a ring portion having an opening, and wherein the first strap engages with the second strap by passing through the opening in the ring portion of the second strap for securing the portable computing device to the appendage. 
     
     
       8. The portable computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the front side of the first strap further includes a loop cell configured to couple to the front side fastening cell such that the portable computing device is secured to the appendage when the first strap passes through the opening in the ring portion and engages the loop cell on the front side of the first strap to the front side fastening cell. 
     
     
       9. A computing system, comprising:
 a curved computer body; and 
 an armband including a curved device pouch enveloping the curved computer body, the curved device pouch including an input area configured to receive a touch input from a user and facilitate a display output of the computing system, the armband including a first strap and second strap extending from the armband, 
 wherein the first strap includes a ring portion having an opening, and a distal end of the second strap is configured to concurrently pass through the opening of the ring portion and engage a fastening cell positioned on a middle portion of the second strap; and 
 wherein the curved device pouch includes a first aperture through which the display output of the computing system is visible, and a second aperture through which an input mechanism of the input area is visible and can be engaged by a user of the computer system. 
 
     
     
       10. The computing system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first closure cell and a second closure cell, each configured to retain the first strap and the second strap secured to the armband respectively. 
 
     
     
       11. The computing system of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the second strap includes a front side with a front side fastening cell, and the front side fastening cell is configured to engage with the fastening cell positioned on the middle portion of the second strap. 
     
     
       12. The computing system of  claim 9 , wherein the input area includes a curved perimeter defining an edge of the curved computer body. 
     
     
       13. A computing device, comprising:
 a curved device body having opposing edges and configured to support a display surface and an input mechanism, wherein a perimeter of the display surface defines an input area configured to receive a touch input from a user and the input mechanism provides the user with detectable feedback indicating when an input is provided; and 
 a flexible strap portion including a first end positioned at an edge of the curved device body and a second end that includes a first fastening cell, 
 wherein the flexible strap portion wraps around the curved device body and the first fastening cell on the second end of the flexible strap portion engages a second fastening cell positioned on the flexible strap when the flexible strap portion is in a closed configuration. 
 
     
     
       14. The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein when the fastening cells are engaged, the second end is positioned at a side of the computing device opposite the display surface. 
     
     
       15. The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the input mechanism provides an input to the computing device based on a button of the input mechanism being pressed. 
     
     
       16. The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible strap portion is configured to be secured to the curved device body and released from the curved device body based on an adjustment to the flexible strap portion by the user. 
     
     
       17. The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the second end of the flexible strap portion is configured to penetrate a ring portion in the closed configuration, the ring portion positioned at the edge of the curved device body opposing the edge at which the first end of the flexible strap is positioned.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/186,319 filed Aug. 5, 2008, entitled “ARMBAND FOR HOLDING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an armband which is configured to hold an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as portable music players, cell phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are used every day by millions of people. Though electronic devices are becoming smaller, carrying these electronic devices may still present a problem. For example, PDAs and hybrid PDA-cell phone devices are typically large and cumbersome to place in a pocket. Similarly, carrying and using a portable music player while exercising can be a challenge. 
     Existing techniques for carrying these electronic devices may include using an armband. For example, a pouch for receiving an electronic device may be coupled to a strip of material to form an armband that a user may use to hold the pouch on the user&#39;s arm or body. The pouch may be of any suitable size, for example sized to receive a particular electronic device. The pouch may include a window through which an electronic device screen and an electronic device input mechanism may be viewed and manipulated by a user. 
     If the electronic device has a curved outer surface, for example an outer surface associated with an elliptical cross-section or an ellipsoid shape, the window may bow upwards due to contacts between the window and portions of the outer surface. If the window is stiff, for example for aesthetic or tactile reasons, the window bowing may be more pronounced. This may cause gaps to develop between the electronic device screen or input mechanism and the window, which may in turn adversely affect a user&#39;s experience. For example, the gap between the window and the screen may distort the user&#39;s perception of the displayed content. As another example, the gap between the window and the input mechanism may prevent the user from providing inputs to the device or detecting feedback that particular inputs were provided (e.g., the user cannot feel a click when a button is pressed and, for example a dome switch is inverted). 
     SUMMARY 
     An armband having a pouch operative to receive an electronic device having a curved surface is provided. 
     The pouch may include several apertures through which an electronic device screen and an electronic device input mechanism may be visible. The apertures may be covered by a window bonded to a surface of the pouch (e.g., an interior surface of a front face of the pouch). Each of the apertures may have different sizes, for example such that the aperture associated with the screen is larger than the aperture associated with the input mechanism. 
     To ensure that the window does not bow up above the input mechanism by an amount that would adversely affect the device operation, the width of the window may vary. For example, the window may be wider in areas adjacent to the aperture for the screen, and narrower in areas adjacent to the input mechanism. This may allow the contact point at which the window becomes tangential to the electronic device surface to be closer to the center of the electronic device in areas adjacent to the input mechanism. This in turn may reduce the amount by which the window is offset from the surface of the input mechanism and ensure that the quality of the user experience is maintained. 
     In some embodiments, the portion of the window adjacent to the opening of the pouch through which the electronic device is inserted may include a curved edge relative the side from which the electronic device is inserted into the pouch. For example, the window may include an edge in the shape of a half circle such that upon inserting the device in the pouch, only a single point on the edge will initially come into contact with the electronic device (e.g., in contrast to the window having a straight line parallel to the side of the pouch from which the electronic device is inserted). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  presents a back view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  presents a cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1C  presents a front view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1D  presents another cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  presents a view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  presents a top view of a button area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  presents a side view of a button area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  presents back view of a pouch for an armband which is holding an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  presents back view of a pouch for an armband which is holding a larger electronic device with an attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  presents a view of an arm strap for the armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  presents a view of an arm strap for the armband wherein a hook cell is coupled to a loop cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4C  presents a view of an arm strap for the armband wherein a hook cell is coupled to two loop cells in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  presents a view of an arm strap inserted into a ring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  presents a view of a hook cell on an arm strap secured to a loop cell on the arm strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  presents a view of the armband when the arm strap is wrapped around the pouch so that a hook cell on the arm strap is coupled to a storage-mode cell on the arm strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a pouch in which an electronic device having a curved surface is inserted in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the inner surface of the front face of the pouch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  present a number of views of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 1A  presents a back view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 1B  presents a cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 1C  presents a front view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 1D  presents another cross-sectional view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The armband illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D  includes pouch  100 . In some embodiments, pouch  100  includes opening  119  along one edge of pouch  100  which can be used to insert an electronic device into pouch  100 . The electronic device can include, but is not limited to: a music player; a mobile phone; and any other mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the inner lining of pouch  100  is made from a polyurethane microfiber material. 
     In some embodiments, pouch  100  is coupled to device-securing strap  102 , which includes closure hook cell  106 . Furthermore, one or more closure cells  107  are coupled to a back face of pouch  100 . Note that although  FIG. 1A  illustrates two closure cells, any number of closure cells can be used depending on the application. Furthermore, the configuration of the closure cells can be adjusted according to a specified application (e.g., to accommodate electronic devices of varying sizes or a device that may or may not have an attached dongle). Closure hook cell  106  is configured so that device-securing strap  102  can be folded over the opening of the pouch and closure hook cell  106  can be coupled to one or more closure cells  107 . The operation of device-securing strap  102  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     Arm strap  101  is coupled to pouch  100 . In some embodiments, arm strap  101  is coupled to pouch  100  using stitches  108 . Stitches  108  provide mechanical coupling strength between arm strap  101  and pouch  100 . 
     In some embodiments, arm strap  101  includes one or more of: a plurality of holes  105 , storage-mode cell  104 , loop cells  110 , and hook cell  111 . Note that the number of loop cells is not limited to four loop cells and can generally be any number of loop cells depending on the application. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes  105  is punched through arm strap  101 . The plurality of holes  105  can be configured in a specified pattern to achieve a desired property of arm strap  101 . For example, the specified pattern can be chosen to balance between stretchability and breathability of arm strap  101 . In some embodiments, the diameters of the holes are substantially the same. In some embodiments, diameter of the holes is between 1.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters inclusive. 
     Note that the various cells used in the present invention can be Velcro® cells or any other type of fasteners. For example, loop cells  110 , storage-mode cell  104  and closure cells  107  can be fuzzy Velcro® cells, and hook cell  111  and closure hook cell  106  can be hook Velcro cells. 
     In some embodiments, the specified pattern for the plurality of holes includes one or more of rows of holes wherein holes in a given row are offset a specified distance from a centerline of holes in an adjacent row. In some embodiments, the specified distance is one-half the distance between a pair of holes in the adjacent row of holes. Adjacent holes can be equally spaced from each other or spaced so that the distance between adjacent holes follows a specified pattern. In some embodiments, adjacent holes within a row are spaced 6.7 millimeters as measured from a centerline of the adjacent holes. 
     In some embodiments, adjacent rows of holes are substantially equally spaced. In some embodiments, adjacent rows of holes are spaced between 3.8 millimeters and 4 millimeters inclusive as measured from the centerlines of adjacent rows of holes. 
     In some embodiments, storage-mode cell  104  is configured so that when the arm strap is wrapped around the pouch, hook cell  111  can be coupled to the storage-mode cell. These embodiments allow the arm strap to be secured so that hook cell  111  does not inadvertently attach to other materials (e.g., clothing) while the armband is placed in storage (e.g., in a drawer, in a gym bag, etc.). The operation of storage-mode cell  104  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     In some embodiments, loop cells  110  are located on the arm strap so that hook cell  111  can overlap at least two adjacent loop cells. Note that in these embodiments, hook cell  111  may be able to overlap a single loop cell, but is more likely to overlap two adjacent loop cells. The operation of loop cells  110  and hook cell  111  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C . Also note that the shapes of closure cells  107 , closure hook cell  106 , loop cells  110 , and hook cell  111  are illustrated as ovals. However, these cells can be any shape depending on the application. For example, oval loop cells (and oval storage-mode cell) oriented so that the longer dimension of the oval is substantially aligned with the shorter dimension of arm strap  101  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1C ) allow for more stretch in the lateral direction as compared to circular cells or oval cells oriented in a different direction. 
     In some embodiments, ring  103  is coupled to pouch  100 . In some embodiments, ring  103  is coupled to pouch  100  using stitches  109 . Stitches  109  provide mechanical coupling strength between ring  103  and pouch  100 . Ring  103  is configured to allow arm strap  101  to be passed through ring  103  and pulled back across arm strap  101  so that hook cell  111  can be coupled to one or more loop cells  110 , thereby securing the armband to an arm. The operation of ring  103  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     In some embodiments, pouch  100  includes window  115 . Window  115 , which can be constructed from any suitable material, including for example plastic, can be bonded to the pouch using an adhesive, heat, and pressure. In some embodiments, window  115  includes a substantially transparent portion  116  and a substantially translucent portion  117 . In some embodiments, substantially translucent portion  117  is formed by applying an ink to a portion of an outer surface of the window. The ink can be formulated so that that the ink provides one or more of: a frosty and translucent appearance; and a low-friction scrolling surface for a finger. Note that other processes can be used to create translucent portion  117 . 
     In some embodiments, window  115  includes button area  118 , which is configured to facilitate locating a button on the electronic device within the pouch. Furthermore, button area  118  can protrude out-of-plane from the outer surface of the window to facilitate locating button area  118 . Note that all of button area  118  or a portion of button area  118  can protrude out-of-plane from the outer surface of the window. Alternatively, button area  118  can be co-planar with the outer surface of the window. Button area  118  can be formed using a hydroforming process which presses the window into a desired shape. Note that other shape-forming processes can be used. In some embodiments, button area  118  is formed after ink is applied to window  115 . In some embodiments, button area  118  is within translucent portion  117 . 
     In some embodiments, arm strap  101  can include three layers  112 - 114 . In some embodiments, layers  112  and  114  are made of polyurethane and layer  113  is made of spandex. The polyurethane-spandex polyurethane layer provides several advantages including, but not limited to: allowing arm strap  101  to stretch but not so far that it will break; not drying out and becoming brittle over time; allowing arm strap  101  to be made thinner than alternatives (e.g., neoprene); the coefficient of thermal expansion is comparable to the other material used in the armband; and the layer is edge stable (e.g., resistant to fraying) so that after die cutting the shape of arm strap  101 , the edges of arm strap  101  do not need to be refinished (e.g., sewn, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the arm strap and the front face of pouch  100  are made from a single piece of polyurethane-spandex-polyurethane material. In these embodiments, the front face of pouch  100  is bonded to the back face of pouch  100  along the edges of the pouch. In some embodiments, the bond is created using adhesive, heat, and pressure applied at the edges of the pouch. Note by using this bonding process, stitches are not required to couple the front face of pouch  100  with the back face of pouch  100 . In one embodiment, the adhesive is a urethane-based adhesive. After the front face and the back face of pouch  100  are bonded together, a hole is cut into the back face of pouch  100  to create the opening in the pouch. In some embodiments, a reflective material be coupled to the surface of pouch  100 , arm strap  101 , or any other suitable portion of the armband for ensuring that a user of the armband may be visible in low-light environments (e.g., at night). 
       FIG. 2A  presents a view of an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The armband includes pouch  200  and arm strap  201 . In some embodiments, pouch  200  has window  203 . In some embodiments, window  203  includes button area  202 . 
       FIG. 2B  presents a top view of button area  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, a portion of button area  202  protrudes out-of-plane from window  203 . In other embodiments, all of button area  202  protrudes out-of-plane from window  203 . In other embodiments, button area  202  is co-planar with the surface of window  203 . 
     Although button area  202  is illustrated as a circle, button area  202  can be any shape. For example, button area  202  can be an oval, a square, a rectangle, a diamond, or any other shape. Furthermore, the shape of button area  202  can be chosen based on a specified application (e.g., the shape can substantially match the shape of a button on the electronic device). 
     In one embodiment, button area  202  can include inner button area  205  and outer button area  204 . In this embodiment, inner button area  205  and outer button area  204  are not co-planar. Instead, outer button area  204  can protrude out of the surface of window  203  more than inner button area  205  protrudes out of the surface of window  203 .  FIG. 2C  presents a side view of button area  202  illustrating this embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, window  203  includes one or more button areas. For example, window  203  can include a button which is a center button and other buttons which are located around the center button. Note that the center button is not necessarily located at the center of window  203 . In some embodiments, one or more detents are located on window  203  to facilitate guiding a finger of a user from the center button to the other buttons. In these embodiments, the one or more button areas can be the same sizes and shapes, can be different sizes and shapes, or can include one or more subsets of button areas with same sizes and/or shapes. 
       FIG. 3A  presents back view of a pouch  300  for an armband which is holding electronic device  302  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. (Note that in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the arm strap is not shown for the sake of clarity.) As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a hook cell (not shown) is coupled to closure cell  304  so that electronic device  302  is secured within pouch  300 . Note that closure cells  304 - 305  are coupled to pouch  300  whereas the hook cell is coupled to device-securing strap  301 . 
       FIG. 3B  presents back view of a pouch  300  for the armband which is holding electronic device with attachment  306  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the hook cell (not shown) is coupled to closure cell  305  so that electronic device  302  is secured within pouch  300 . Note that a larger electronic device such as electronic device with attachment  306  may protrude from pouch  300 . Hence, to accommodate the extra size of electronic device with attachment  306 , the hook cell is coupled to closure cell  305  instead of closure cell  304 . Also note that there can be any number of closure cells depending on the application. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  present exemplary views of the coupling of a hook cell with one or more loop cells.  FIG. 4A  presents a view arm strap  400  for an armband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Arm strap  400  includes hook cell  401  and loop cells  402 - 405 .  FIG. 4B  presents a view arm strap  400  wherein arm strap  400  is folded over itself so that hook cell  401  is coupled to loop cell  403  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4C  presents a view arm strap  400  wherein arm strap  400  is folded over itself so that hook cell  401  is coupled to loop cells  404 - 405  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the cell configurations in  FIGS. 4A-4C  are used to illustrate the operation of hook cell  401  and loop cells  402 - 405  and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to these cell configurations. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate an exemplary process of using an arm strap to secure the armband around an arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the back side of pouch  500  can be seen. Arm strap  507  and ring  506  are coupled to pouch  500 . Furthermore, arm strap  507  includes hook cell  501  and loop cells  502 - 505 . In order to secure the armband around an arm (or another object), the back face of pouch  500  is placed against the arm (not shown). Next, arm strap  507  is pulled round the arm and inserted into ring  506  (see  FIG. 5A ). Arm strap  507  is then pulled back toward loop cells  502 - 505  so that hook cell  501  can be coupled to one or more loop cells  502 - 505 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , hook cell  501  is coupled to loop cells  502 - 503 . Note that hook cell  501  can be coupled to any loop cell depending on the size of the arm that the armband is to be attached. 
       FIG. 6  presents a view of the armband when arm strap  604  is wrapped around pouch  600  and through ring  603 , so that hook cell  601  is coupled to storage-mode cell  602  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In doing so, the armband can be stored so that hook cell  601  will not contact and couple to any other materials (e.g., clothing). 
     In some embodiments, the shape of an electronic device may cause the front face of the pouch to not lie flush against the top surface of the electronic device when the electronic device is inserted in the pouch. In particular, if the electronic device includes a curved surface (e.g., defined by an elliptical cross-section), the pouch may bow out and away from the top surface of the electronic device when the armband is in use (e.g., and the sides of the pouch are pulled back around a user&#39;s arm). In addition, if a stiff window is positioned over one or more apertures of the front face, the difference in stiffness between the window and the material of the pouch (e.g. the difference in stiffness between plastic and felt or synthetic material) may cause the window to bow out. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a pouch in which an electronic device having a curved surface is inserted in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  710  may be inserted in pouch  700 . Electronic device  710  may be of any suitable size or shape. For example, electronic device  710  may include a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the top (e.g., to fit in substantially rectangular pouch  700 ). In addition, electronic device  710  may include curved planar surfaces and curved edges such that, when viewed from the bottom, electronic device  710  may resemble an ellipsis or other shape having a curved boundary. For example, electronic device  710  may have an ellipsoid shape. The curved surface of electronic device  710  may cause pouch  700 , unless particular care is taken, to lie unevenly on electronic device  710 . 
     The top surface of pouch  700  may include window  715  operative to provide a transparent or translucent surface through which a user may view a display or input mechanism of the electronic device. For example, window  715  may provide a surface through which a user may view input mechanism  712  (e.g., a click-wheel) used to control electronic device operations. Window  715  may extend over any suitable portion of electronic device  710 . In some embodiments, when electronic device  710  is contained within pouch  700 , window  715  may extend beyond (e.g., substantially beyond) the periphery of input mechanism  712  and may come into contact with any suitable portion of electronic device  710 . At particular point  720 , window  715  may become tangential to the surface of electronic device  710 . Because of the tangential contact and the curvature of the electronic device surface, the portions of the surface of electronic device  710  that are closer to the center of electronic device  710  than point  720  (e.g., portions between the symmetrical points  720 ) may be prevented from coming into contact with window  715 . In particular, if the electronic device surface is symmetrical, the opposing tangential forces on window  715  at symmetrical points  720  (e.g., creating levers around symmetrical points  720 ) may cause window  715  to bow up and away from the electronic device surface and input mechanism  712  by distance  724 . This may increase the desired distance between window  715  and input mechanism  712  and risk adversely affecting the user&#39;s ease in providing inputs. In particular, if the distance between the window and input mechanism  712  is such that the user must exert a significant force to bring center point  722  of window  715  in contact with input mechanism  712 , the user may not be able to detect a feedback mechanism (e.g., a detectable click) indicating that a button of input mechanism  712  has been pressed. 
     Different approaches may be used to ensure that the gap between the window and the input mechanism is sufficiently small (e.g., the window is substantially in contact with the display and with the input mechanism of the electronic device) when the device is inserted in the armband pouch.  FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the inner surface of the front face of the pouch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Front face  802  of pouch  800  may include aperture  816  through which a display may be visible, and aperture  817  through which an input mechanism (e.g., a click wheel) may be visible. Apertures  816  and  817  may be of any suitable size and shape. For example, aperture  816  may include a rectangular aperture having dimensions in the range of 25 mm to 50 mm by 60 mm to 120 mm, 30 mm to 35 mm by 40 mm to 60 mm, or 33.5 mm by 43.50 mm. As another example, aperture  817  may include a circular aperture having a diameter in the range of 20 mm to 40 mm, 30 mm to 35 mm, or 31 mm. In some embodiments, the width of aperture  816  may be larger than the diameter of aperture  817 . In other embodiments, the width of aperture  816  can be about the same as the diameter of aperture  817 . In yet another embodiment, the width of aperture  816  can be greater than the diameter of aperture  817 . 
     Front face  802  may include window  815  that is bonded to the inner surface of front face  802  such that window  815  extends beyond the edges of apertures  816  and  817 . For example, window  815  may include a first portion that generally conforms to aperture  816  (e.g., a rectangular aperture) and a second portion that generally conforms to aperture  817  (e.g., a circular aperture). If apertures  816  and  817  have different sizes, the width of window  815  may also vary. For example, the width of window  815  may vary in the range of 29 mm to 54 mm to in the range of 24 mm to 44 mm. To ensure that window  815  is properly bonded to front face  802 , window  815  may extend by at least a minimum amount beyond the edges of apertures  816  and  817  (e.g., 2 mm). The minimum amount may be determined by the manufacturing process used to bond window  815  to front face  802 , which may include for example using an adhesive, tape, pressure, or heat treatment. 
     To prevent the portion of window  815  within aperture  817  from extending away from an input mechanism of the electronic device (e.g., when the electronic device is contained in the pouch), window  815  may be constructed such that the tangent points causing window  815  to bow out (e.g., discussed above) are brought closer to the centerline of the electronic device. In particular, as the tangent points (e.g., points  720 ,  FIG. 7 ) move towards each other, for example ending up along or on the centerline of the electronic device, the reduction in distance between the tangent points and the flattening of the curvature of the surface of the electronic device may combine to lead to a reduction in the distance between window  815  and the input mechanism (e.g., reducing distance  724 ,  FIG. 7 ). The width of window  815  may therefore vary based on the size of the apertures being covered by the window to ensure that the distance between the window and the electronic device under each aperture is minimized. For example, because aperture  816  is larger than aperture  817 , the width of window  815  may be larger in the portions adjacent to aperture  816  than in the portions adjacent to aperture  817 . In particular, it may be desirable to ensure that the width of window  815  adjacent to aperture  817  (e.g., positioned over the electronic device input mechanism) is smaller than the width of other portions of window  815 . 
     To prevent the differences in window width from being detectable to a user through front face  802 , window  815  may include smooth transitions  820  between portions of window  815  having different widths. Window  815  may include any suitable geometry (e.g., smooth edges) between different portions, including for example a spline, curved or faded transitions, or any other suitable smooth edge. By avoiding sharp angles, front face  802  may avoid localized bowing out at or adjacent to transitions  820  between portions of window  815  having different widths. 
     In some embodiments, tip  818  (of window  815 ) that is nearest or adjacent to the end of pouch  800  into which an electronic device is inserted (e.g., bottom edge  804 ) may substantially follow the shape of aperture  817 . In particular, tip  818  may not extend far beyond the tip of aperture  817 . In the example of  FIG. 8 , window  815  may follow the edge of circular aperture  817  (e.g., window  815  includes a half circle following the shape of aperture  817  and a click wheel, where tip  818  is a point on the half circle) such that tip  818  remains at a substantial distance from the edge of pouch  800  (e.g., at least 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, or 8 mm). By limiting the distance beyond aperture  817  to which window  815  extends, pouch  800  may be more flexible in areas adjacent to edge  804  (e.g., the edge into which a device is inserted and from which a device is removed), and may allow a user to pull back a portion of pouch  800  or front face  802  to more easily remove the electronic device. 
     In addition, window  815  and tip  818  may be positioned such that tip  818  defines a single point that is closest to bottom edge  804  (e.g., instead of a straight line substantially parallel to bottom edge  804 ). Because tip  818  may not include an edge that is substantially parallel to bottom edge  804 , when an electronic device is inserted into pouch  800  the area of window  815  that may be caught by the top edge of the device as the device moves past window  815  may be small. This may reduce the risk that a user disengage or weaken the bond between window  815  and front face  802  as the device is inserted or removed. In addition, if tip  818  is located near the centerline of the electronic device, the stiffness of window  815  may naturally cause tip  818  to bow out away from the leading edge of the electronic device, further reducing the risk that the electronic device catches window  815  as it is inserted in pouch  800 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140926
Publication Date: 20170912
Grant Date: 20170912
Priority Date: 20080805
Inventors: CAMERON GORDON
FRAZIER CAMERON
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A45F5/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S224/93", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C2011/001", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F2005/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F2200/0516", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S224/93", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F5/1516", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C11/001", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F2005/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F5/1516", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C11/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S224/93", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45C11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F2005/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F5/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A45F5/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41651955