Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/857,241 filed Jul. 23, 2013 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to attachable wallets for smartphones and methods for combining both elements and specifically to automatic adjustment to fit multiple brands and types of smartphones. Additionally, the invention describes and enables various attachment means for easy separation of the wallet and smartphone. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Smartphones and wallets are an indispensible part of modern life. Within the marketplace, combining both of these vital everyday elements has produced products that limit the full capabilities of a smartphone such as limiting the use of the touchscreen. For example, almost all of the products combining smartphones and wallets require the user to remove the smartphone from the wallet to answer or initiate a phone call. Often this action requires the sliding of the smartphone out of the wallet which can interfere with the buttons on the side of the smartphone and make inadvertent adjustments to the user&#39;s smartphone, such as volume adjustments and turning the ringer on or off. In addition, the time required for removing the smartphone from a pocket or purse and then having to remove it from the wallet can cause the user to miss the call entirely. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need in the art for wallet devices and smartphone holders and alternative attachment methods that combines each of their functionalities in order to reduce the number of items a person carries while not disrupting the use of the phone&#39;s touchscreen or interfering with the settings of the smartphone. The invention and methods described below solve the problems associated with typical smartphone holders with combined wallet functionality. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention utilizes two hook-shaped grabbing pieces connected by a pliable strap to securely grip and hold onto the sides of a smartphone while not interfering with the smartphone&#39;s side buttons. The combination of the hooks and pliable strap form a grabbing device that is then connected to a strap. Fasteners within the strap then enable the grabbing device to attach to another item such as a wallet. The wallet can be attached and detached from the grabbing device while the grabbing device continues holding the smartphone. The detaching functionality allows for someone to attach or remove the wallet at their convenience depending on their current circumstances while not affecting the use of their smartphone. Since the grabbing device can remain attached to the smartphone while not affecting its use, the grabbing device can be connected to various items depending on one&#39;s circumstance. If it is not connected to the wallet, it could be connected to one of a number of alternative items. For example, the smartphone with the grabbing device could be attached to a car charging device or a stand or a hands-free holder for use while driving. Conversely, if the wallet is not connected to the smartphone, it could be connected to one of a number of alternative items. For example, the wallet could be placed in locations that would be otherwise difficult to achieve without the attachment means, such as attached to the side of a dresser or nightstand, or attached to the underside of a desk or chair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  shows an end view of the grabbing device in one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  shows a front view of the grabbing device in one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of the grabbing device holding onto a smartphone in one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the grabbing device holding onto a smartphone with an attached wallet in one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  shows an expanded view of one hook of the grabbing device, detailing the design of the hook. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  shows an end view of one side of the grabbing device holding onto a smartphone, detailing the design of the grabbing device and the clearance allowed for the smartphone&#39;s side buttons. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1B  shows a front view (phone side) of the grabbing device  100  in the stretched position whereby hooks  105  have been extended outwards by a pulling pressure (not shown) to stretch the elastic material  110 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the two hooks  105  are constructed of a suitable, thin metal material, such as stainless steel, and connected to each other with a stretchable band  110  that enables it to stretch in width in order to grab and hold onto smartphones of various sizes and widths. In another embodiment of the invention, the two hooks  105  are constructed of a suitable, thin, but pliable, metal material, such as aluminum, which allows some minor adjustments in the hooks by the user through slight bending or deformation of the hooks  105 . In another embodiment of the invention, the two hooks  105  are constructed of a nonmetallic material, such as plastics, nylon, wood, carbon fiber, fiberglass, etc. 
         [0013]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stretchable band is an elastic material. In another embodiment of the invention, the stretchable band is constructed of another suitable material, such as rubber or other stretchable material. 
         [0014]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hooks  105  and elastic band  110  are attached to a strap  115  that is comprised of two substantially equal pieces of suitable material, such as leather, sewn together with stitching  140 . The hooks  105  and elastic band  110  are attached to the strap  115  by stitching  140  that connects the elastic band  110  in the strap  115  in the approximate center of the strap  115  and forming a channel with the stitching  140  above and below the elastic band  110  to allow it to stretch outwards while keeping the elastic band somewhat constrained in its movement. In another embodiment of the invention, the strap  115  is comprised of a number of pieces of non-leather material, such as synthetic leather, cloth, carbon fiber, canvas, rubber, plastic, etc. In another embodiment of the invention, the strap  115  is comprised of one piece or a number of pieces of material attached directly to the wallet  310 , shown in  FIG. 3 , with stitching  140  or other stitching as required. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the invention, the strap  115  contains a number of magnets or pieces of ferrous material  120  that can connect to another item with the receiving pieces of ferrous material or magnets such as a wallet  310 , shown in FIG.  3 . A magnet mating with magnet or a magnet mating with ferrous material combination allows both the wallet  310  and the grabbing device  100  to attach to other devices besides each other. For example, a stand for hands-free operation in a motor vehicle could be constructed to mate with the grabbing device  100 , allowing a driver to safely use his phone while driving. Another example would be the construction of an adhesive backed receptacle for the wallet  310  that could be placed in an inconspicuous place in the user&#39;s home to store the wallet  310 , without the restriction that the wallet  310  be placed on a horizontal surface. In other words, the adhesive backed receptacle for the wallet  310  could be placed on the underside of a desk or chair. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnets  120  comprise of two circular magnets  120  embedded in the strap  115 . In other embodiments of the invention, any number of magnets or different shaped magnets can be utilized or arranged in any other pattern. In other embodiments of the invention, button snaps, fasteners, Velcro, adhesive or another type of connecting application can be used. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the invention, the strap  115 , absent of any magnets or other temporary attachment means, is connected directly and permanently to a wallet  310 , shown in  FIG. 3 , through stitching  140  or additional stitching as required. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , in the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a nonslip, protective surface  125  applied to the inside of the hooks  105  in order to provide a nonslip and protective surface between the smartphone  205 , shown in  FIG. 2 , and hooks  105 . In an embodiment of the invention, the nonslip, protective surface  125  comprises a nonslip grip adhered to the inside (phone side) of the hooks  105 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective surface  125  is made from a nonslip liquid based coating that is applied directly to the hooks and utilizes materials such as rubber, silicone or plastic. In another embodiment of the invention, a nonslip material or product is applied directly to the hooks  105  as a tape material, such as rubber or plastic tape. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hooks  105  are comprised of metal pieces with a rounded shape designed to wrap around the sides of smartphones of varying depths. The hooks  105  wrap around the front of the phone while not interfering with the use of the smartphone&#39;s screen or the smartphone&#39;s side buttons. Referring to  FIG. 4B , in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hooks  105  with the nonslip, protective surface  125  are rounded and cause the nonslip, protective surface  125  to contact the somewhat rectangular shape of the smartphone&#39;s edge in two places. The contact with the hooks  105  with the nonslip, protective surface  125  is made near the top  410  and bottom  415  edges of the smartphone  205 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4B , in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the size of the hooks  105 , i.e. the radius of the curve, leaves enough room between the smartphone&#39;s side buttons  405  and the protective surface  125  to allow the side buttons  405  to remain undisturbed while the smartphone  205  is in the grabbing device  100  and while the smartphone  205  is being slid out of the grabbing device  100 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the size of the hooks  105 , i.e. the radius of the curve, is approximately 0.2 inches or 5 mm. While extensive research and experimentation has shown that approximately 0.2 inches or 5 mm is an ideal size in order to fit the majority of smartphones on the market, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other radius dimensions, while not ideal, may work for a large number of the smartphones on the market. As smartphones evolve over the years, the radius dimension for hooks  105  may need to change in order to adapt to the changes in smartphone thicknesses. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the invention, the hooks  105  are shaped in a more oblong or angular manner to give more clearance for the smartphone&#39;s side buttons  405 . 
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastic band  110  is looped through a slot  130  at the base of the hooks  105  and secured by stitching  140 . In another embodiment of the invention, the elastic band  110  can be adhered to the hooks  105  with additional stitching, an adhesive, rivets, or other attachment means. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of the grabbing device expanded to hold onto a smartphone  205  in one or more embodiments of the invention. The hooks  105  wrap around the side of the smartphone  205  while leaving the smartphone&#39;s  205  screen completely usable as well as any buttons or controls on the sides. The elastic band  110  is stretched to accommodate the width of the smartphone  205  and can stretch to varying lengths. When the smartphone  205  is removed, the grabbing device and accompanying hooks  105  and elastic  110  return to resting or not stretched position. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows an end view of the grabbing device  100  gripping a smartphone  205  and with a wallet  310  attached to the leather strap  115  in one embodiment of the invention. The elastic band  110  is stretched to accommodate the width of the smartphone  205  and grips the smartphone  205  securely. The elastic band  110  enables the grabbing device to expand to hold onto smartphones of varying widths such as the Apple iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy. The hooks  105  wrap around the sides of the smartphone  205  to provide grip but not cover any portion of the smartphone&#39;s  205  screen, enabling the use of all features of the phone related to the use of a touchscreen and answering or initiating a phone call. The hooks  105  are also shaped in a way so that any buttons on the sides of the smartphone are unaffected from unintended activation. In an embodiment of the invention, the leather strap  115  has magnets  120  that attach to mating magnets contained in the wallet  310  enabling someone to attach or detach the wallet  310  at any given time while leaving the grabbing device  100  attached to the smartphone  205 . 
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a wallet  310  is attached to the strap  115  which is then attached to the elastic band  110  contained in the grabbing device  100 . In another embodiment of the invention, the wallet  310  can be any other item or fixture such as a bag of any type, clothing item, fashion accessory, holding stand, or automobile interior such as a dashboard or console. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the invention, the grabbing device  100  has slots designed to attach ear buds or Bluetooth ear buds to the grabbing device  100  or designated slots or openings in the wallet  310 , or an area within the invention to wrap ear bud wires or cords around. 
         [0027]    In view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments described herein, this detailed description is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. To illustrate, while the attachable item has been described as a wallet, embodiments are not so limited. For example, the attachable item could be a belt or a golf bag. Therefore, the specifications and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

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