AU2017100928A4 - Wearable Item Holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A wearable holder for a portable item has a first band 105, a second band 110 and a spacer panel 115 connected at a first end to the first band and at a second end to the second band. The first band and second band are of elastic material so as to secure to a limb of a wearer by stretching around the limb in parallel, spaced-apart configuration, with the spacer panel extending along the limb between the first band and the second band. The spacer panel has overlapping portions with each of the first and second bands to form respective first and second open pockets 102, 104 facing each other so that ends of an item to be held may be inserted in respective of the pockets with a main body portion of the item extending along the spacer panel. Elastic stretching of the elastic material of the first and second bands tightens the pockets onto the inserted ends of the item to secure the item in the holder. Fig. 1 (ISO tcet b ~ of-' (of A~ ID-

Description

Wearable Item Holder 2017100928 06 Μ 2017

Field of the invention [001] The present invention relates to a wearable item holder, in particular a wearable holder suitable for a personal electronic device such as a mobile telephone, or for other items the user wishes to carry on their person.

Background of the invention [002] Leisure activities and exercises are popular amongst many consumers who enjoy going outdoors. Common personal items which consumers may wish to carry with them include cash, credit cards, or personal electronic devices such mobile phones or personal electronic assistants. It is not always convenient or desirable for these items to be carried by hand, in a purse or bag. A fanny pack carried around the user’s waist has the benefit of freeing up the user’s arms, but may not be suitable or convenient during activities such as running or biking. It also may not contribute toward a coherent look with the other clothing items that the user is wearing.

[003] Wearable holders for mp3 players, mobile phones or the like are known, but many are bulky, cumbersome, uncomfortable or expensive to produce.

[004] The invention aims to provide a construction for a wearable item holder which is simple, inexpensive and comfortable to wear, or at least provides an alternative to known types.

[005] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention [006] One exemplary form of the invention provides a wearable holder for a portable item, including a first band, a second band and a spacer panel connected at a first end to the first band and at a second end to the second band, wherein: the first band and second band are of elastic material so as to secure to a limb of a wearer by stretching around the limb in parallel, spaced-apart configuration, with the spacer panel extending along the limb between the first band and the second band, the spacer panel has overlapping portions with each of the first and second bands to form respective first and second open pockets facing each other so that ends of an l item to be held may be inserted in respective of the pockets with a main body portion of the item extending along the spacer panel, and 2017100928 06M2017 elastic stretching of the elastic material of the first and second bands tightens the pockets onto the inserted ends of the item to secure the item in the holder.

[007] The first and second ends of the spacer panel may underlie the respective first band and the second band at the respective overlapping portions.

[008] Each overlapping portion may be joined to the respective band along a distal seam located near to a distal edge of the band relative to the other band to form a closed end of the pocket, and along side seams which extend adjacent sides of the spacer to form closed sides of the pocket.

[009] The first and second bands, and optionally the spacer panel, comprise neoprene sheet material, preferably ‘super stretch’ neoprene sheet material.

[010] The elastic material of at least the first and second bands may preferably exhibit stretch of at least 20%,, optionally at least 25% or 30%.

[011] The first band may be of a larger diameter than the second band, to fit higher on the limb.

Brief description of the drawings [012] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wearable item holder [014] Figure 2 is a cross section of the wearable item holder of Figure 1, taken across line l-l; and [015] Figure 3 is the same cross section of the wearable item holder as that shown in Figure 2, but with the bands pulled in the direction shown by the arrows; [016] Figure 4 is a cross section of the item holder and a mobile phone held in the wearable item holder; [017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another wearable item holder; [018] Figure 6 is a front view of another wearable item holder.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [019] Figures 1 to 4 depict a wearable item holder 100 which can be worn on a user’s limb, preferably on the user’s arm but optionally could be sized to fit the calf or thigh. The holder 100 includes a first band 105 and a second band 110 which are adapted to be worn on the user’s limb, and thus generally each enclose a loop through which the limb can 2 be inserted. The first band 105 and the second band 110 are generally parallel to and spaced from each other, and connected by a linking spacer panel 115. 2017100928 06 Μ 2017 [020] The bands 105, 110 are formed of an elastic material, for example a natural or synthetic rubber sheet material such as the fabric-laminated neoprene sheet materials commonly used for wetsuits and the like. Suitable materials may include neoprene sheet material of the type typically referred to as ‘super stretch neoprene’, having a stretch (% elongation at elastic limit) of at least one or more of: 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% or 40%. Sheet material thickness may for example be approximately 1.5mm, 2mm or 3mm.

[021] Fabric-laminated ‘super stretch’ neoprene sheet is readily available for example from numerous vendors on www.alibaba.com and similar sources.

[022] For ease of manufacture, a similar sheet material may be used for the spacer panel 115, though a less stretchy and/or thicker sheet material may be used for the spacer panel 115 if desired.

[023] Each of the bands 105, 110 and the spacer panel 110 may be formed from a generally rectangular portion of sheet material. For an item holder 100 suitable for wearing on the arm, calf or thigh, the rectangular material piece for forming the first band 105 may be longer than that for the second band 110, to form a band of greater diameter to fit the higher part of the limb.

[024] To assemble the holder, the ends of each rectangular portion to form the bands 105 and 110 are attached to themselves to form the bands. This attachment may be by any suitable means for the material being used, for example by one or more of bonding, welding and stitching. An attachment method including stitching is preferred, optionally with a reinforcing piece (not shown) at the seam.

[025] The spacer panel 115 is attached at each end thereof to the respective band 105, 110 by any suitable method, as described above, so that the bands 105, 110 are held in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship.

[026] Attachment of the spacer panel 115 to the first band 105 and the second band 110 is to the inside of the respective bands, so that in use the overlapping portion 116 between the linking spacer panel 115 and the first band 105 will be located under and concealed by the first band 105, and the overlapping portion 117 between the linking spacer panel 115 and the second band 110 will be located under and concealed by the second band 110. A middle portion 118 of the linking spacer panel 115 between bands 105 and 110 is exposed. 3 [027] The spacer panel 115 is joined to the first band 105 along three edges of the overlapped portion 116 concealed by the first band 105. They are joined at an upper seam 120 which is located close to an upper edge 107 of the first band 105, and at side seams 122, 124 extending from opposite ends of the upper seam 120 and along opposite side edges of the concealed portion 116. The upper and side seams 120, 122, 124 thereby define an upper receptacle or pocket 102 (see Figure 3) between the first band 105 and the linking spacer panel 115, accessible via a lower or inner edge 108 of the first band 115. 2017100928 06 Μ 2017 [028] The linking spacer panel 115 is joined to the second band 110 also along three edges of the overlapped portion 117 concealed by the second band 110. The linking spacer panel 115 and the second band 110 are joined at a lower seam 126 which is located close to a lower edge 111 of the second band 110, and at side seams 128, 130 extending from opposite ends of the lower seam 126 and along opposite side edges of the concealed portion 117. The lower and side seams 126, 128, 130 thereby define a lower receptacle or pocket 104 (see Figure 3) between the second band 110 and the linking spacer panel 115, accessible via an upper or inner edge 113 of the second band 110.

[029] The arrangement therefore forms a pair of pockets 102,104 which are closed at their distal and side edges and open at their facing edges, so that the pocket openings face each other along the length of the spacer panel 115.

[030] The locations of the side seams 128, 130 joining the linking spacer panel 115 to the second band 110 will align with the locations of the respective side seams 122, 124 joining the linking spacer panel 115 to the first band 105.

[031] Each of these pockets 102, 104 is adapted to receive an end of a generally rectangular item such as a mobile phone or other personal electronic device, as shown schematically in Figures 2 to 4 and described below.

[032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, after fitting onto the user’s limb, the first band 105 and the second band 110 can be lifted from the spacer panel 115 in the direction of the arrows A, B shown in Figure 3, to allow access to the first pocket 102 and the second pocket 104. An item to be stowed such as a mobile phone 200 (shown in Figure 4) can then be inserted into the pockets 102, 104. The first and second bands 105, 110 are stretched over the mobile phone 200 and by their elasticity keep the phone secured between the first and second bands 105, 110 and the spacer panel 115. The panel 115 thus further acts as a backing layer between the user’s clothing or skin and the mobile phone 200. The pockets 102, 104, and the spacer panel 115 therefore together define a storage compartment which secures the phone to the user’s limb. 4 [033] The distance between the respective side seams 122, 124 and 128, 130 (Figure 1) , as well as the separation between the upper and lower seams 120, 126, can be sized to suit the particular device or item for which the wearable item holder 100 is said to be suitable. The widths of the first and second bands 105, 110 will further need to be sufficient to create deep enough pockets to allow secure storage of the item on the user, but not so deep that the insertion of item to be stowed would be difficult or access to the item impeded. 2017100928 06 Μ 2017 [034] Optionally, some or all of the seams 120, 122, 124 joining the linking spacer panel 115 to the first band 105, and the seams 126, 128, 130 joining the linking spacer panel 115 to the second band 110, can be concealed by decorative and/or reinforcing material 140.

[035] The elastic material of the bands allows the first band 105 and the second band 110 to be pulled from the underlying spacer panel 115, stretched over an end of the item to be stowed, and released so that their elasticity will hold the item in the item holder 100.

[036] Where the spacer panel 115 is also of elastic material, at least in its transverse direction, the stretching of the bands 105, 110 when the holder is fitted to the user’s limb may further tighten the hold on the item being stowed.

[037] Optionally, the above arrangement can be repeated to create more storage spaces. For example, Figure 5 depicts a further wearable item holder 300 which is similar constructed as that shown in Figure 1 to 4. In this embodiment, the linking spacer panel 315 is wider to include a first spacer panel portion 315 and a second spacer panel portion 315.2. The first spacer panel portion 315.1 is joined to the first band 305 and the second band 310 in the manner discussed above to provide storage for, e.g. a mobile phone. The second spacer panel portion 315.2 is also joined between the first band 305 and the second band 310 to provide storage for a further item.

[038] As depicted, the first and second linking spacer panel portions 315.1, 315.2 are respectively joined to the upper band 305 along side seams 322, 324, and along an upper seam 320 which extends between the side seams 322, 324 and which is located close to the upper edge 307 of the first band 305. The adjacent spacer panels portions 315.1, 315.2 the sides of the spacer panel 315 optionally share a middle seam 323 which will separate the storage spaces.

[039] Similarly, the first and second linking spacer panel portions 315.1, 315.2 are respectively joined to the lower band 310 along side seams 328, 330, and along a lower seam 326 which extends between the side seams 328, 330 and which is located close to the lower edge 311 of the second band 310. The adjacent spacer panels portions 315.1, 315.2 5 the sides of the spacer panel 315 optionally share a middle or interior seam 329 which will separate the storage spaces. The storage spaces can have different sizes to suit different items. For example in Figure 5, the spacer panel portion 315.2 has a smaller width as measured between the middle seam 323 (329) and the side seam 324 (330), to suit a smaller item, such as a pen. 2017100928 06 Μ 2017 [040] This arrangement can be repeated - e.g. there can be further panel portions and thus storage compartments, as delineated between further respective interior seams joining the linking spacer panel to the first and second bands.

[041] Alternatively, the first and second, or any further, spacer panel portions 315.1, 315.2 can be independent panels and each assembled to the first and second bands as discussed in relation to Figures 1 to 4.

[042] Whilst the first and second bands shown in Figure 1 to 5 each have a generally uniform width, they can have correspondingly varying widths. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the first band 405 and the second band 410 respectively have aligned wider portions 405.1,410.1 and narrower portions 405.2, 410.2. Therefore, when assembled with the linking spacer panel 415, there is a smaller gap between the wider band portions 405.1, 410.1 than between narrower band portions 405.2, 410.2. That is, the pockets created by the wider band portions 405.1, 410.1 will be deeper than the pockets created by the narrower band portions 405.2, 410.2. Therefore the storage compartments respectively created by wider band portions 405.1, 410.1 and the panel 415, and by the narrower band portions 405.2, 410.2 and the panel 415, will suit different items. For example, a credit card 500 can be held by the wider band portions 405.1,410.1, and a mobile phone 200 which is generally larger than a credit card can be held by the narrower band portions 405.2, 410.2.

[043] Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

[044] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[045] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and 6 2017100928 06 Μ 2017 not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 7

Claims (5)

1. Claims

   1. A wearable holder for a portable item, including a first band, a second band and a spacer panel connected at a first end to the first band and at a second end to the second band, wherein: the first band and second band are of elastic material so as to secure to a limb of a wearer by stretching around the limb in parallel, spaced-apart configuration, with the spacer panel extending along the limb between the first band and the second band, the spacer panel has overlapping portions with each of the first and second bands to form respective first and second open pockets facing each other so that ends of an item to be held may be inserted in respective of the pockets with a main body portion of the item extending along the spacer panel, and elastic stretching of the elastic material of the first and second bands tightens the pockets onto the inserted ends of the item to secure the item in the holder.
2. 2. A wearable holder of claim 1, whereby the first and second ends of the spacer panel underlie the respective first band and the second band at the respective overlapping portions.
3. 3. A wearable holder of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each said overlapping portion is joined to the respective band along a distal seam located near to a distal edge of the band relative to the other band to form a closed end of the pocket, and along side seams which extend adjacent sides of the spacer to form closed sides of the pocket.
4. 4. A wearable holder of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second bands, and optionally the spacer panel, comprise neoprene sheet material.
5. 5. A wearable storage device of any one of claims 1 to 4, the first band being of a larger diameter than the second band.