Patent Document

REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION 61/843,904 
       [0001]    This patent application is entitled to and claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. provisional application 61/843,904, filed on Jul. 8, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated here by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to a holding aid apparatus to be attached to a mobile device outer body shell, case, or cover by appropriate means as a holding aid for a user while holding the mobile device and operating or typing on the electronic device touch sensitive screen. This holding aid apparatus is applicable to a variety of mobile smart phones, portable devices, reading devices, personal assistants, wearable portable devices, or any other similar mobile devices using a touch sensitive screen. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Mobile electronic devices such as mobile smart phones, electronic reading devices, e-book readers, and other portable electronics are usually equipped with a general purpose touch sensitive screen. Touch sensitive screens became a very popular application for portable mobile products and are used for various purposes due to the versatility of the on screen keyboard. 
         [0004]    Before the generalized use of touch screens, most of the smart mobile devices implemented a physical keyboard that allowed the user to hold the device by touching on both, front and back device surfaces, with enough pressure to hold the device. The user was able to hold these devices by resting the thumbs on top of the keyboard while the index and middle fingers were generally positioned on the back of the mobile device. This type of device equipped with physical keyboard allows the user to excerpt enough amount of pressure on the portable device using the thumbs on the front surface and the index and middle fingers on the back surface to hold the mobile device but not yet enough pressure to activate any key on the physical keyboard. 
         [0005]    However, new models of portable devices are equipped with a touch sensitive screen that generally covers the whole front surface of mobile device. Since the new devices are equipped with this full size touch sensitive screen it is not an option anymore to rest the user thumbs over the touch screen surface because any pressure of the fingers will activate keys on the onscreen keyboard. 
         [0006]    Therefore the new touch sensitive screen technology also brought to mobile device users increasingly difficulties to hold the device while typing on it, because it is not possible anymore to hold the device in the same way users used to hold portable devices equipped with a physical keyboard. 
         [0007]    For illustration the anatomic details of the typical position of the hand and fingers of a user while holding and typing on a mobile electronic device are shown in  FIG. 10 . As can be seen in this figure the users&#39; thumbs are used for typing on the screen keyboard (see also  FIG. 11 ). The touch sensitive keyboard usually takes half of the screen while the other part of the screen shows the text that the user is entering. 
         [0008]    Therefore a need exists for a holding aid apparatus to hold the portable device that is specifically designed considering the anatomical and ergonomic aspects of the user hands and fingers while the user is typing on the touch sensitive screen surface of the portable device. 
         [0009]    There are a variety of proposed holding devices to help the user to hold a small electronic device; however none of the holding devices were appropriately projected for holding and typing considering the anatomical and ergonomic aspects of holding the portable device and typing. The device described in this disclosure is intended to bridge this gap and is generally intended as a holding aid or apparatus specifically designed to hold the portable device while the user is using it and typing on the touch sensitive screen surface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The object of this invention generally relates to a holding aid apparatus for a portable electronic device while the user is typing on the touch sensitive screen of the mobile device. The holding device is a structure ( FIG. 1 ) that can be incorporated or attached to a variety of portable hand held devices that implements or makes use of touch sensitive screen keyboard. The holding aid apparatus structure is composed of a base or platform member, at least two articulated joints and at least two lateral tab shaped members. The lateral tab shaped members are generally flat, equipped with orifices and attached to the base flat member by means of articulated joints. The base member may be integrated or embedded ( FIG. 4 ) into the back of a mobile device case or cover. The finger holding member of the device may be constituted at least of two lateral tabs (right and left), one tab or flat member containing generally two orifices and designed to house a pair of fingers of the user right hand and the other tab also generally containing two orifices for insertion of at least two of the user left hand fingers. The lateral flat tab members are connected to the moving part of the articulation and may rotate around the axis defined by the articulated joint. The articulated joint allows the tab members a rotation movement to open or close the holding aid tabs in relation to base member. The articulation can be implemented by a hinge mechanism or a flexible material articulation at the joint of the lateral tab flat member with the base member. The flat tab lateral members while in closed position ( FIG. 9 ) allow for the mobile device transportation in user pockets or pouches. The holding aid apparatus may be integrated or embedded on a mobile device cover in such way that the base member is seamlessly incorporated into the back surface ( FIG. 4 ) of the hand held cover or outer shell. The holding aid apparatus structure is designed to help a user to hold the device in the appropriate and ergonomic position for typing without necessarily touching the sensitive screen. The holding aid apparatus allows the user to hold the mobile device with only two fingers of each hand (for example, Index finger and Middle finger) and let both thumbs free (floating and able to hover above the touch sensitive screen) and therefore the user fingers are free to activate only desired keys on the touch screen keyboard. The apparatus lateral flat tabs may also rotate and close ( FIG. 9 ) allowing for easy transportation in user clothing pockets or in pouch wallet case cover. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a complete rear view of an example of the holding apparatus in active position where each of the two lateral flat tab members are connected to base member by means of a hinge mechanism. The figure also depicts the two axis around which the lateral tab member are allowed to rotate. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an example holding apparatus in active position where the lateral flat tab members are connected to the base member platform by means of flexible material articulation. In the same way the lateral tab members are allowed to rotate around the axis defined by the junction of the lateral flat tab member with the base or platform member. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a side and rear view of an example of the holding apparatus where the lateral tab members are connected to the base member by means of an articulation mechanism. The figure also depicts the hinge mechanism for attachment of the lateral tab member to the base or platform member. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an example of the holding device integrated to an electronic mobile device case. In this embodiment the lateral tab members are attached directly to the device back body by means of a hinge mechanism. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a lateral-rear view of an example of the holding device attached to the back of a mobile device constructed with optional larger and elongated orifices that can accommodate two finger tips each. The lateral tab members are attached to the base member via flexible material articulations. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a lateral-rear view of an example of the holding device attached to the back of the mobile device cover my means of a pivot axis. The pivot axis attachment mechanism allows the whole holding device structure to rotate or swivel in clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. This configuration is intended to provide additional degrees of freedom for the user hand and fingers and may improve usability in particular when attached to larger portable devices. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a rear-lateral view of an example of the holding device attached to the back of the mobile device. In this embodiment the lateral holding tabs are constructed in such way that they are separated in four independent tabs each one connected to the base member with a flexible material articulation mechanism. This configuration is intended to provide additional degrees of freedom for the user hand and fingers and may improve usability when attached to larger portable devices. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a rear-lateral view of an example of the holding apparatus constructed with a snap in mechanism and a hook designed to attach to the rear of a mobile device by embracing the body of the mobile device. This construction design may be used to snap the holding device apparatus directly to the body of a mobile device with a combination of pressure, hook or grove mechanism. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a rear view of an example of the holding device in a passive position, attached to the back of a mobile device with the lateral tabs rotated towards the back surface of the mobile device and in a closed position. This rotation of the tab members allow for easy transportation in user clothing pockets or in a pouch wallet case cover. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of user hands and fingers position while holding a mobile device and at the same time typing on the touch screen keyboard. In this figure and to display the position of the fingers the mobile device was removed. The figure shows that user thumbs should be free to hover above the touch sensitive screen keyboard while the other fingers hold the device in place. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of an example of the holding device attached to the back of a mobile device (and therefore not shown in the picture). Particularly, this figure displays the operation details of the user thumbs over the keyboard while the other user fingers are accommodated in the corresponding orifices at the back of the device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a rear view of an example of the holding aid device attached to the back of a mobile device. This figure displays the position of the user finger tips at the back of the device while they are inserted into the corresponding orifices on each one of the flat lateral tab members. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows a lateral rear view of an example of the holding device attached to the back of a mobile device. This figure displays the position of the user fingers while they are inserted into the corresponding orifices on the flat lateral tab members. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The present invention is described in detail in this section with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may or may not be constructed or limited by any means to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and to explain the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. With the reference to the figure annotations, like numbers refers to like structural elements throughout each one of the drawings as presented. The following drawings describe various embodiment examples of the holding aid configuration. Relative terms such as ‘interior” and “exterior” are used herein to describe the positional relationship of one component of the holding aid apparatus in relation to the base member of the aid apparatus as illustrated in the figures. “Interior” generally refers to the region close the back surface of the base member, and “exterior” generally refers to the outer space surrounding the mobile device. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example holding aid H for a portable device in accordance with the present disclosure. The holding aid H is integrated to the external shell or cover of the mobile electronic device according to several different ways. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the holding device has generally a first holding member  20 , and a second holding member  30 , which are preferably and approximately equal in area, size and format, a base or platform member  10 , and two articulated joints  12  and  13 . Each one of the finger holding members  20  and  30  which are also referred as lateral flat tab members preferably implements one or two circular or oval orifices each one. These orifices are used to hold the user finger tips. The finger holding members or lateral flat tab members are also referred as “wings” in the provisional application 61/843,904, filed on Jul. 8, 2013. 
         [0027]    The base or platform member  10  functions as a base or platform to which the lateral flat tab members  20  and  30  are appropriately connected by an articulated joint mechanism. It may be also appreciated that the first holding member  20 , and the second holding member  30  may also be implemented with orifices of different numbers, forms and sizes, and the members and orifices may be specifically sized to fit a particular electronic mobile device size, or may be sized generally to fit a variety of devices as best as possible. Additionally the holding member orifices may be implemented with adjustable orifice sizes and formats. 
         [0028]    As it will be appreciated, each one of the holding aid apparatus components, as well the joint articulation mechanism, may be constructed of a metal material, a resin or plastic material, a composite material of metal and plastic, a composite material of polymer resin and fiber woven (fiber glass, carbon fiber, etc.) and or any other material as desired and satisfying the required mechanical properties to serve as a holding structure for the user finger tips according to mobile device weight and size. The three members  10 ,  20  and  30  may be formed from a single piece of material integrated with each other via a flexible material joint or may be formed by three different pieces of material integrated with a hinge articulation mechanism. 
         [0029]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1  the first holding member  20  is joined to the base member  10  by means of the articulation  12  implemented by a hinge mechanism, and the second member  30  is joined to the base member  10  by means of the articulation  13  also implemented by a hinge mechanism. The stationary part of the articulate hinge is connected to each of the sides of the base member  10  and the rotatable part of the hinge is connected to the lateral flat tab members  20  and  30 . The holding members  20  and  30  may also be called fingertip holding members as they are intended to provide a secure grip for the user finger tips. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 1  the broken line Y defines a plane that is perpendicular to the internal or back surface  102  of the base member  10  of the holding device. When the holding apparatus is attached to a mobile device, the back surface  102  of the base member  10  is aligned parallel to the back surface of the mobile device. The device construction is preferably symmetrical in relation to plane Y as the right human hand is generally symmetrical to the left human hand. In this embodiment of the holding aid the tab member  20  is also generally symmetrical to tab member  30  in relation to the plane Y. The hinge mechanism implemented by articulation  12  allows the flat tab member  20  to pivot around the axis Y′ which is defined by the direction of the articulation  12 . The member  20  can rotate inwardly to the direction towards of the surface  102  of the member  10 , but also can rotate outwardly to the outward direction from the surface  102 . The flat member  20  outwardly rotation may be limited at a certain appropriate maximum angle by a hinge locking or friction mechanism. When the rotation towards the interior of the device completes, the surface  202  of the member  20  becomes parallel and touches the surface  102  of the member  10 . 
         [0031]    In the same way the hinge mechanism defined by articulation  13  allows the flat tab member  30  to pivot around the axis Y″ that is defined by the direction of the articulation  13 . The member  30  can rotate inwardly towards the direction of the surface  102  of the member  10 , but also can rotate outwardly to the outward direction from the surface  102 . The flat member  30  outwardly rotation may be limited at a certain appropriate maximum angle by a hinge locking or friction mechanism. When the rotation towards the interior of the device completes the surface  302  of the member  30  becomes parallel and touches the surface  102  of the member  10 . 
         [0032]    When both members  20  and  30  complete the inwardly rotation towards the surface  102  and are parallel to the surface  102 , the device is said to be in a passive or closed configuration. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of another example of the holding device. In this embodiment the holding device H is also constituted of the flat base member  10  that has two surfaces, the back surface  101  and the interior surface  102 . Preferably, the back surface  101  is constructed in such way to match or have a complementary form in relation to the back surface of mobile electronic device case, shell or cover. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 2  embodiment the articulation  12 F, joining the base member  10  with the flat tab member  20 , is implemented by flexible material articulation mechanism that allows the flat member  20  to swivel around the axis defined by the articulation  12 F. The flexible articulation  12 F should allow the flat member  20  to rotate inwardly towards the surface  102  or outwardly from the surface  102 . The angle of the surface  102  with the surface  202  should be zero or close to zero when the device is closed or in passive configuration or should be around 45° to 90° or even from 90° to about 140° or more when the device is open, in active configuration and ready for use. The angle defined by the articulated joint between the surface  102  and surface  202  may be adjustable to several values to adjust to user hand and fingers position and for better user comfort. 
         [0035]    In a similar way, in  FIG. 2 , the flexible articulation  13 F joining the base member  10  with the flat tab member  30  is implemented by flexible material articulation that allows the flat member  30  to swivel around the axis defined by the articulation  13 F. The flexible articulation  13 F should allow the flat member  30  to rotate inwardly towards the surface  102  and outwardly from the surface  102 . The angle of the surface  102  with the surface  302  should be zero or close to zero when the device is closed and in passive configuration or should be around 45° to 90°, or even more than 90° to about 140° or more when the device is open, in active configuration and ready for use. The angle defined by the joint between the surface  102  and surface  302  may be even adjustable to several values for better user comfort. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 2  the base member  10  is preferably flat and constituted of two surfaces, the back surface  101  and interior surface  102 . The surface  101  of the holding aid platform member  10  is intended to touch and/or adhere to the back surface of the mobile electronic device by means for several attachment mechanisms. It can be attached to the back surface of the mobile device case or cover with adhesive, glue, Velcro, double-sided tape, screws and bolts, pins, ridge and groove combinations or any other appropriate attachment mechanism. 
         [0037]    The finger holding member  20  is composed of two surfaces, the exterior surface  201  and the interior surface  202 . The surface  201  of the holding device points to the exterior of the holding aid and the surface  202  points to the interior of the holding aid. The member  20  is also preferably a flat member and the profile of the internal surface  202  is preferably complementary to the profile of the surface  102  of the member  10 . 
         [0038]    In a similar way the finger holding member  30  is composed of two surfaces, the exterior surface  301  and the interior surface  302 . The surface  301  of the holding aid points to the exterior of the holding aid and the surface  302  points to the interior of the holding aid. The member  30  is also preferably a flat member with the profile of the internal surface  302  preferably complementary to the profile of the surface  102  of the member  10 . 
         [0039]    On  FIG. 2  embodiment of the holding aid, the member  20  is a generally flat shaped tab that contains the orifices  21  and  22 . Generally, the distance A of the border of the orifice  21  to the line defined by articulation  12 F can be the same or larger than the distance B of the border of the orifice  22  to the line defined by the articulation  12 F. Otherwise and also for ergonomic reasons the distance B may measure approximately from 0 to 5 mm and the distance A may be approximately the same as distance B or up to 50% or up to 100% larger that the distance B. Alternatively, the distances A and B may be adjusted in size to fit in the lateral tabs according to the size of the lateral flat tab member size. The lateral flat tab members are constructed to fit the width of the portable device and limited in size according to the full width of the body of the mobile device. 
         [0040]    On  FIG. 2 , and for better user comfort the border of the orifice  22  may be also as close as possible to the line defined by the articulation  12 F, which means that for certain embodiments the distance B should be as small as possible and therefore the distance B can be 0 mm, or up to 5 mm to 10 mm or 15 mm. The same anatomic and ergonomic reasoning may be applied to the distance A which is generally tends to be equal or larger than distance B. 
         [0041]    On  FIG. 2 , the member  30  is also a flat shaped tab that contains the orifices  31  and  32 . The distance C of the border of the orifice  31  to the line defined by articulation  13 F can be the same or larger than the distance D of the border of the orifice  32  to the line defined by the articulation  13 F. Otherwise and also for ergonomic reasons the distance D may approximately from 0 to 5 mm and the distance C may be approximately the same as distance D or up to 50% or up to 100% larger that the distance D. Alternatively, the distances C and D may be adjusted in size to fit in the lateral tabs according to the size of the lateral flat tab member size. The lateral flat tab members are constructed and limited in size according to the width of the body of the mobile device. 
         [0042]    The border of the orifice  32  may also be as close as possible to the line defined by the articulation  13 F, which means that distance D could be as small as possible and therefore the distance D can be 0 mm, or up to 5 mm to 10 mm or 15 mm. The same anatomic and ergonomic reasoning may be applied to the distance C which generally tends to be equal or larger than distance D. 
         [0043]    The shape of the orifices  21  and  31  can be preferably circular, elongated, elliptical, or even similar to a square of round corners. The diameter of the orifice  21  of member  20  and the orifice  31  of the member  30  may be around the diameter of the index finger or middle fingers of an average male or female or generally around 15 mm to 20 mm or even 25 mm, or other size appropriate to fit user finger size. The size of the orifices  21  and  31  can also be made adjustable in diameter by use of complementary adjustment tools, like a ring that can be fitted and inserted inside of the orifice opening. When the ring is inserted into the orifice opening it decreases the diameter of the orifice and when the ring is removed, the orifice returns to its original size. The rings to adjust the orifice opening sizes can be made or several different materials as plastic resin, rubber or composite material. Another reason for the utilization of rings is to improve user comfort if the ring material is softer than the holding member construction material. 
         [0044]    In a similar way the shape of the orifices  22  and  32  can be preferably circular, elongated, elliptical or even similar to a square of round corners. The diameter of the orifice  22  of member  20  and the orifice  32  of the member  30  may be around the diameter of the index finger or ring fingers of an average male or female or around 15 mm to 20 mm or even 25 mm, or other size appropriate to fit user finger tip 
         [0045]    The size of the orifices  22  and  32  can be made adjustable in diameter by use of complementary adjustment tools, like a ring that can be fitted and inserted inside of the orifice opening. When the ring is inserted into the orifice opening it decreases the diameter of the orifice and when the ring is removed, the orifice returns to its original size. The rings to adjust the orifice opening sizes can be made or several different materials as plastic resin, rubber or composite. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  shows a side-rear view of another example of the holding device H, similar in construction with the holding aid presented on  FIG. 1 . This embodiment shows the two flat members  20  and  30  connected to the base member  10  by means of hinge mechanisms.  FIG. 3  also displays a lateral view of the flat tab finger holding member  20  which is composed of two surfaces,  201  and  202  and the outer surface  201  is now shown in the  FIG. 3 . The holding device structure is shown in open configuration and the flat tab member  20  and  30  may rotate around the hinge joint mechanisms defined by  12  and  13 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the holding apparatus H where the base or platform member  10  is fully incorporated on a device cover. The  FIG. 4  shows the integration of the base member  10  into the mobile device cover, and the flat tab members  20  and  30  connected to the back surface of the mobile device cover by means of an articulation mechanism. The attachment of the tab member  20  with the back surface of the device case is implemented by a hinge mechanism defined by the joint  12 . In the same way the flat tab member  30  is attached to the back surface CS of the mobile device case C by means of a hinge mechanism defined by the joint  13 . 
         [0048]    The stationary parts of the hinge mechanism  12  and  13  are directly attached to the back surface CS of the mobile device case or cover and the rotatable parts of the hinge mechanism, the barrel or pivot, are connected to each one of the rotatable lateral flat tab members  20  and  30 . In the embodiment described by  FIG. 4 , the hinge mechanism  12  allows the flat member  20  to swivel or rotate around the axis defined by the articulation  12  inwardly, towards the surface CS defined by the back of the device case C, and outwardly of the surface CS. The angle of the surface CS with the surface  202  should be zero when the device is closed and in a passive configuration or should be between 90° to 135° or up to 140° when the device is open, in an active configuration and ready for use. In a similar way the hinge mechanism  13  allows the flat member  30  to swivel or rotate around the axis defined by the articulation  13  and in the same way as the rotation range of the member  20  around articulation  12 . 
         [0049]    When the device is open and in active configuration the hinges associated with flat tab members  20  and  30  preferably may gradually increase resistance to additional increase of the aperture angle between each one of the flat tab members and back surface CS of the mobile device case. This may happen when the rotation angle opens beyond the range of 90° to 135° or up to 140°. The increased resistance to enlarge the opening angle could be implemented at the hinge mechanism by a friction or locking mechanism that may include the application of stops, grooves, dents, ridges, corrugations, and roughened surfaces or combinations thereof. 
         [0050]    At the angle where the tabs present the best ergonomic results for the user finger and hands position, the friction of the hinge mechanism should start to increase. With increased hinge friction or by application of a hinge locking mechanism the tabs become gradually more resistant to rotation and more fixed in position. This increased resistance to rotation will facilitate the user to insert finger tips&#39; in the designated orifices. 
         [0051]    In the embodiment described in  FIG. 4 , the articulation  12  is attached to the back surface CS of the portable device cover at a position close to the edge E 2  of the mobile device. The edge E 2  is defined by the corner between the mobile device back surface CS with the surface of the side of the mobile device. In this way the articulation  12  is positioned generally parallel and preferably close to or at the edge E 2 . Generally the distance of the articulation  12  to the edge E 2  may be determined based on ergonomic and comfort criteria aiming to improve user experience. 
         [0052]    In a similar way the lateral flat member  30  is positioned in such a way that the joint  13  is aligned generally parallel to the edge E 3  of the mobile device cover and preferably close to or at the edge E 3 . Depending on the width of the mobile device, the hinge mechanisms  12  and  13  can be implemented more or less close to the respective edges E 2  and E 3 , or can be implemented with some indentation from the device cover edge for better ergonomic results. 
         [0053]    The tab members  20  and  30  should be able to swivel or rotate around the axis defined by hinge mechanisms  12  and  13  inwardly and outwardly of the back surface CS of the device cover. When the internal surfaces  202  and  302  of the holding device are parallel to the surface CS of the back of the device cover the holding apparatus is said to be in closed position, prepared for transport and ready to be stowed in a user pocket. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the holding aid for a mobile electronic device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The holding aid is shown in active configuration and attached to the back of the mobile device M. This embodiment of the holding apparatus is implemented with enlarged finger orifices. The orifice  22 L on flat tab  20  and the orifice  32 L on flat tab  30  are both enlarged and elongated. This configuration is intended to help holding mobile devices that are larger or heavier than regular sized mobile phones. In this example the user can accommodate the right hand index finger tip in orifice  21  and both the middle and ring fingers on orifice  22 L or insert the middle finger in orifice  21  and both ring and baby fingers in orifice  22 L and similarly for the left hand the user can insert the corresponding fingers on the orifice  31  and use the enlarged orifice  32 L to accommodate two other finger at once. 
         [0055]    The shape of the orifices  22 L and  32 L are preferably an elongated ellipsis or even similar to a square of round corners. The length of the larger axis of the ellipsis  22 L should be approximately twice the diameter of the orifice  21  of member  20  and similarly the length of the larger axis of the orifice  32 L should be approximately twice the diameter of the orifice  31  of the member  30 . The dimension of the smaller axis of the ellipsis defined on the orifices  22 L and  32 L should be about the same as the diameter of the orifices  21  and  31 . The size of the larger dimension of orifices  22 L and  32 L should match approximately the sum of the average diameters of the index and middle fingers of an average male or female, or approximately 30 mm to 40 mm or even up to 45 mm or more. The sizes of the orifices can also be made adjustable by means of adjustment tools like rings of different sizes that can be inserted and fitted in the inner surface of the orifice. The adjustment rings can also be made of soft materials and used to pad the inner orifice surface and therefore improve user comfort. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the holding aid for a mobile electronic device. The holding apparatus is shown in active configuration and attached to the back of a device cover C. In this embodiment the attachment of the base device member  10  to the back surface CS of the device cover is implemented by rotatable cylindrical pivot member which center is defined by the connection point P. The cylindrical pivot member is constructed to point outwardly and with a direction perpendicular to the back surface CS of the device cover C and generally installed at the middle of the base member  10 . The pivot P cylindrical body is also installed generally in the middle of the back surface CS in relation to the width of the device cover. The base member  10  may be attached and secured to the cylindrical pivot by several mechanisms, but generally may contain a hole in which the cylindrical pivot barrel is inserted and held in place by a pin head, screw or bolt. The pivot attachment at the connection point P should allow the whole holding aid structure composed of the base member  10  together with the assembly of the lateral flat members  20  and  30  to swivel or rotate in clockwise and counter clockwise direction around the pivot point P. 
         [0057]    The rotation of the whole holding aid fixture assembly comprehended by the base  10  and both lateral members  20  and  30  can vary from 0° to 30° or even up to 45° in relation to the position where the lateral members  20  and  30  are generally parallel to the side and lateral surfaces of the device cover. The rotation should stop approximately around an angle of 45° or less in relation to the vertical direction of the device cover by implementation of a friction or lock mechanism that will prevent the holding fixture further rotation. 
         [0058]    The rotation of the holding aid assembly described in  FIG. 6  is an optional embodiment of the holding apparatus H, and may increase the ability of the user fingers to extend and operate keys or buttons on a mobile device, as for instance those keys that are far way, in particular for larger devices. 
         [0059]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the holding apparatus for a mobile electronic device. The holding aid is shown in active configuration and attached to the back surface CS of a device cover C. In this embodiment each one of the flat tab members is subdivided in two independent sections that can rotate around the joint articulation independently. The member  20  is split into the flat tab member  20 A and  20 B which are independently attached to base member  10  via a flexible material articulation or a hinge mechanism. In a symmetric way the member  30  is split into the flat members  30 A and  30 B. 
         [0060]    In the embodiment described by  FIG. 7 , each one of the flat tab members is equipped with orifices to accommodate user finger tips. The intent of this holding device design is to provide to the user fingers and hands additional freedom of movement. Each one of the lateral flat tabs  20 A,  20 B,  30 A and  30 B of the holding aid H should swivel or rotate inwardly and outwardly of the surface CS on the back of the device cover. When the device is open in an active configuration the surfaces of the flat tab members  20 A,  20 B,  30 A and  30 B should open up to an angle of preferably from 45° to 90° to 135° or more in relation to the plane defined by back surface CS. When each one of the lateral tabs start to reach a pre-defined opening angle limit an articulation implemented stop mechanism or a hinge friction mechanism should impart additional rotation resistant and maintain the tabs around the appropriate angle for user utilization. By increased friction or locking mechanism the lateral tabs are maintained more firmly in position to facilitate user finger tips insertion in the appropriate tab orifices and therefore hold the mobile device. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing an example of the holding aid H for a mobile electronic device designed to attach directly to the body of the mobile electronic device M by a grip, brace or pressure and lock mechanisms. In this embodiment the holding device H is constructed with two additional tabs and hooks to attach to the mobile device body from the rear of the mobile device. The rear of the mobile device body is defined by the two lateral surfaces and the surface MS at the back of the device. The holding aid attachment mechanism to the body of the mobile device is designed to embrace around the back surface MS and both sides of the mobile device body and fixed in place by implementing hooks, locks or grip mechanisms to the lateral surface of the mobile device body. In order to attach to the mobile device lateral surfaces the holding aid H should be preferably fitted with two additional side tabs  23  and  33 . The side tab  23  is installed preferably at the border of the base member  10  in such a way that the tab is also parallel to the side of the mobile device body. The side tab  23  is perpendicular to the back surface  101  of the base member  10  and the width of member  10  should approximately be the same as the width of the mobile device body. 
         [0062]    Similarly, on the other side of the base member  10  the side tab  33  is installed at the edge of the base member  10  and perpendicular to the surface  101 , and in parallel alignment with the side and lateral surface of the mobile device. 
         [0063]    The width of the side tabs  23  and  33  should have preferably and approximately the same dimension as the thickness of the mobile device body to allow the side tabs  23  and  33  to fully embrace the mobile device side. 
         [0064]    The width of base member  10  should have the appropriate dimension when compared with the width of the body of the mobile device, in order that the body of the mobile device will be embraced and fit in between the side tabs  23  and  33  with no clearance or looseness. Additionally the edge of the side tabs  23  and  33  that are to become close to the edge of the mobile device front surface, when the mobile device is inserted between the side tabs  23  and  33 , should be fitted with an attachment grip, hook, groove and ridge, or pin mechanisms. That grip, hook or ridge and groove, or pin mechanisms should excerpt pressure or friction on the lateral surface of the mobile device and by this mechanism to firmly attach the holding apparatus H to the outer body surface of the mobile device. This snap in mechanism may take advantage of existent grooves or salient parts at the external lateral surfaces of the mobile device for fixation or eventually the attachment can be achieved only by embracing the mobile device body with a combination of pressure and grips along the edge and inner surfaces of the lateral grip tabs  23  and  33 . The attachment or grip of the holding aid apparatus to the case or cover of the mobile device may also be achieved by other means and may use a variety of other attachment techniques, as for instance attachment based on utilization of screws, bolts, tape, adhesive, Velcro, glue, pressure pins, etc. The lateral grip tabs  23  and  33  may also implement appropriate form and openings according to the mobile device model to allow for the presence of mobile device buttons, keys or other connection jacks. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the holding aid for a mobile device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The holding aid H is shown with its base or platform member integrated on the back surface of the mobile device in a passive or closed configuration. The closed or passive configuration means that both lateral flat members are folded back towards the back surface of the mobile device. 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 9 , the base member  10  is seamlessly incorporated on the back surface CS of a mobile device cover or case. The rotatable flat tab members  20  and  30  are attached via an articulation mechanism to the back surface CS at the edge of the back surface CS with the side of the mobile device. The articulation mechanism allows the flat tab members to swivel or rotate towards the surface  102  of the member  10  which is parallel and integrated into the back surface CS. When both lateral flat tab members completely rotate towards the surface CS or surface  102  of the member  10  of the holding aid, the surfaces  301  and  302  of the member  30 , as well as the surfaces  201  and  202  of the member  20  become parallel and rest over the surface CS or surface  102  of the member  10 . This configuration of the holding device is said to be closed or passive configuration. Once the internal surface of the members  20  and  30  are respectively parallel to the surface CS or surface  102  of the member  10  the flat tabs  20  and  30  may be fixed in position by a grip, hook, lock or pressure pin mechanism or a friction mechanism implemented at the articulation. The locking mechanism may also be preferably implemented by a pin and pressure, matching groove and ridge pairs consisting of grooves and matching dents, ridges, corrugations, roughened surfaces or combinations thereof that increase friction and maintain the flat tabs  20  and  30  in closed or passive position. 
         [0067]    In order to reduce the holding device profile volume while in closed position the flat tab members  20  and  30  may preferably be constructed with a low profile or accommodated on a recess with a depth matching the thickness of the lateral flat tab members. The thickness of the flat tab members  20  and  30  generally may not exceed approximately 2 mm or up to 3 mm or 5 mm. However larger thickness may be appropriate for larger and heavier mobile devices. 
         [0068]    Also and preferably the device cover back surface CS may be constructed with a recess of the same form and depth of the flat tab members  20  and  30  form and thickness to completely accommodate the flat members  20  and  30  in the recess as these members rotate towards the surface CS and become parallel to CS and therefore parking in the recess. 
       OPERATION AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0069]    In this section it is described the operation of the holding aid emphasizing the anatomical and ergonomic aspects involved when a user holds a mobile device to enter data by typing on a touch sensitive screen keyboard. 
         [0070]      FIG. 10  illustrates of the position of user hands and fingers while typing on mobile electronic device. The figure is intended to appreciate the position of the user hands and fingers and the anatomical and ergonomic details that inspired this invention. As shown in the figure the user index and middle fingers are set normally behind the device and lean on the back surface of the mobile device case. On the other hand the user thumbs are usually over the front surface of the device to operate the keys on the keyboard. For devices implementing a physical keyboard the thumbs can rest on the physical keyboard without activating any keys and at the same time the device can be held secure by a light pressure applied between the thumbs and the index and middle fingers. This way of holding the mobile device is not possible anymore if the device is equipped with a touch sensitive screen. 
         [0071]      FIG. 11  shows the position of user hands and fingers when the user is typing on a mobile device equipped with an embodiment of holding aid apparatus. The figure shows the user hands in the same position as shown in  FIG. 10 . The index, middle and ring fingers are generally behind the device and resting over the back surface of the mobile device. The user thumbs are free to hover over the touch screen keyboard and are used to press the desired keys. In this figure the holding device H is not shown because it is installed behind the mobile device M, and the user middle and ring finger tips are accommodated in the corresponding holding aid flat tab orifices. 
         [0072]      FIG. 12  shows a rear perspective view of an example of the holding aid constructed in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 12  also shows the member  10  of the holding aid attached to the back surface MS of the mobile device M. The attachment of the back surface of the base or platform member  10  to the mobile electronic device can be implemented using adhesive, adhesive tape, screws, Velcro or any other appropriate attachment means. Additionally,  FIG. 12  also shows that the holding member  20  is used to accommodate the tips of two fingers of the left hand of the user and the holding member  30  accommodates the tips of two fingers of the user&#39;s right hand. The user middle and ring fingers of each hand are inserted in the appropriate orifices to hold the device, and other user fingers of both hands are free to operate the touch screen keyboard or other mobile device keys. 
         [0073]      FIG. 13  is lateral view of the same configuration shown in  FIG. 12  but from a different viewing angle, and demonstrates an embodiment of the holding aid for a mobile device M as viewed from the lateral perspective. In this embodiment the holding aid base member  10  is attached to the external back surface or case of a mobile device M. As can be appreciated in  FIG. 13 , the lateral view show details of the user left hand, middle and ring fingers inserted in the designated orifices of the member  20 . The right hand fingers are inserted in the designated orifices of the member  30  but cannot be directly seen because they are hidden behind the device M. The figure also shows that the other fingers of both hands are free to move and operate the touch screen keyboard or other keys of the mobile device. 
         [0074]    The orifices on the lateral flat tab members not only allow the user to insert the finger tips&#39; but also allow the finger tips to slide and rotate while the user hand and other free fingers reach out to other mobile device function keys. 
         [0075]    Additionally the joint articulated mechanism between the lateral flat tab members and the base member allow for the flat tabs to rotate around articulation axis, as for instance the articulations  12 / 12 F and  13 / 13 F as displayed in detail on figures  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .

Technology Category: 5