US20120000002A1

US20120000002A1 - Thumb-eez

Info

Publication number: US20120000002A1
Application number: US12/803,617
Authority: US
Inventors: Romney Lynn Prince; Brent Andrè Parris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-01
Filing date: 2010-07-01
Publication date: 2012-01-05

Abstract

This invention, titled “Thumb-eez”, are a cell phone accessory, and are designed to be worn while “texting”, or typing text messages. Thumb-eez are worn on the user's thumbs and permit more precise texting by reducing surface area at the point of contact; this is achieved through the utilization of projecting nibs, or styli, that correspond with the pressure points of the thumbs, thus enabling pinpoint accuracy. There are currently over a billion cell phone users worldwide, and the inventors hope to capitalize on this enormous market. The inventors hope that Thumb-eez will become the next hipster craze, such as Yoga-Toes or Head Blade, and are currently searching for an outside company to manufacture and distribute the Thumb-eez invention. Anyone interested in bringing this invention to market should contact the inventors at (256) 238-1524 or (334) 874-4135.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the electronics and tele-communications fields. There are currently over 270 million cell phone users in the United States alone. A majority of these people also use their phones to send text messages, or “texting”, which allows the user to type text messages on a miniaturized keyboard. The individual keys on today's modern electronic devices are so small that the user's thumbs often depress more than one key. Repetitive texting can also cause calluses on the tips of the thumbs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thumb-eez were invented with a two fold objective: to minimize mistakes, and to prevent the formation of calluses on the thumbs. Thumb-eez permit more precise typing by reducing surface area at the point of contact; this is achieved through the utilization of projecting nibs, or styli, which allows pinpoint accuracy. Thumb-eez also prevent calluses by creating a buffer zone between the thumbs and the keypad.
Thumb-eez were conceptualized by Romney Prince in the summer of 2009, but the idea did not gain traction until he mentioned it to Brent Parris; the two then corroborated on the technical aspects of the design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

‘FIG. 1’ shows a composite view of the Thumb-eez being used on a modern telecommunication device.

‘FIG. 2’ shows a sectional view of the design.

‘FIG. 3’ shows a hidden view of the design.

‘FIG. 4’ shows assembly view of the design attached to a lanyard.

‘FIG. 5’ shows a right side view of the design. ‘FIG. 6’ shows a frontal view of the design.

‘FIG. 7’ shows a top view of the design.

‘FIG. 8’ shows a right side view of the design with oblique styli added.

‘FIG. 9’ shows a frontal view of the design with oblique styli added.

‘FIG. 10’ shows a top view of the design with oblique styli added.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In their most basic form, Thumb-eez are essentially thimbles with protruding nibs, or styli, extending from the tips (FIGS. 2,3,& 5). Thumb-eez are worn on the human thumbs and the nibs, or styli, are situated on the underside of the design to correspond with the pressure point of the thumb (FIG. 2). Thumb-eez have a small opening at the anterior tip that allows the thumbnail to extend through the opening (FIG. 3). An alternate design also has additional nibs, or styli, located on the sides of the design, that allow the user to further access and depress adjacent keys by rotating the thumbs outward (FIGS. 8,9, & 10).
Thumb-eez will be made out of a thermoplastic material, most likely through injection molding. The nibs, or styli, should be rubber coated to prevent damage to the device's keyboards and/or touch-screens. Thumb-eez will theoretically be clear to allow the user to visualize the keyboard, but they can be manufactured in any color, or even have customized logos and/or designs. Thumb-eez will employ a tapered design to accommodate any size thumb. Thumb-eez will be sold by the pair and will contain a small circular flange on the posterior end through which a lanyard passes, which tethers the Thumb-eez together (FIG. 4).

Claims

1. Thumb-eez allow more precise typing on miniature keyboards.

2. Thumb-eez employ the use of nibs, or styli, to depress keys on a keyboard and/or touch-screen, thereby reducing the surface area at the point of contact.

3. Thumb-eez allow the user to better see the keyboard and/or touch-screen by elevating the thumb away from the device.

4. Thumb-eez prevent calluses and soreness by creating a buffer zone between the thumb and the device.