US20140252054A1

US20140252054A1 - Cell Phone Holster

Info

Publication number: US20140252054A1
Application number: US13/787,503
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu Long Zhang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-06
Filing date: 2013-03-06
Publication date: 2014-09-11

Abstract

A cellular telephone holster is provided. The holster is formed of walls defining a cavity to hold the cellular telephone. The holster may be attached to a user's belt, pants, other article of clothing, or accessory. A spacing is defined by one of the walls, preferably a front wall. This spacing extends from one end of the wall to the other. In operation, a user may pass a finger through the spacing to access a cellular telephone or other device stored therein, and by drawing the finger through the length of the spacing, easily remove the cellular telephone.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mobile computing device cases. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cellular telephone holster.
2. Description of Related Art
In our society today, cellular telephones have become very commonplace articles for a person to carry during the course of the day. Because of their small handheld nature, cellular telephones are sometimes able to fit in pockets or the like. Often times, it is inconvenient when a phone has to be placed in a pocket, a purse, or the like because it renders it somewhat inaccessible. Therefore, it is commonplace to see certain types of carriers for cellular telephones. Some of these carriers are mounted on a belt, or pants, similar to a holster. Or, the phone may be dangling from a hook or the like which is mounted on a person's belt.
However, these holsters generally require two hands or at least multiple motions of a single hand to remove the cellular telephone from the holster, leading to clunky and inconvenient removal of the cellular telephone from the holster.
Therefore, what is needed is a cellular telephone holster that allows for easy, single handed removal of the cellular telephone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a cellular telephone holster is provided. The cellular telephone holster comprises a rear wall, front wall, side wall, and bottom wall, attached together forming a cavity sized to receive a cellular telephone. The walls may be formed of any material capable of securing the telephone within the cavity, and preferably are capable of providing an element of protection from scratches and impacts to the cellular telephone or other device stored in the cavity. The front wall defines a spacing between a first portion and a second portion. This spacing extends along either a length or width of the front wall. In operation, a user may slide a finger through the spacing to easily remove the cellular telephone.
In a further aspect, the cellular telephone holster may further comprise a top cover to secure the cellular telephone from accidentally being removed from the cavity. Further still, a belt loop, clip or other attaching device may be positioned on a wall of the holster to secure the holster to a belt, pants, or other article of clothing or accessory of a user. In some embodiments, the attaching device is on a rear wall of the holster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 2 provides a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 3 provides a top view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 4 provides a bottom view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 5 provides a side view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 5A provides a side view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 6 provides a front perspective view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 7 provides a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the holster.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the holster in use.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the holster in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present invention involves a cellular telephone holster to be attached to the pants, belt, accessory, or other article of clothing of a user. The holster is configured to define a spacing on one of the walls that extends the length of the wall, from one end to the other. The spacing allows the cellular telephone to be drawn out of the holster with a single finger of the user.
While the holster herein is generally referred to for use with a cellular telephone, it should be understood that it may be used with any device capable of being held in a case and attached to a belt, pants, or other article of clothing or accessory of the user. Examples of other devices that may be held in the holster include, but are not limited to: iPod® or other portable music player, iPad® or other tablet computer, small portable computing devices, cameras, wallets, credit cards and similar sized cards, eyeglasses, global positioning (GPS) devices, and the like. Therefore, it should be understood that the term ‘cellular telephone’ will refer to all types of mobile telephones, and will also be used herein to refer to any device capable of being held in the holster of this disclosure.
The holster described herein may be any shape and size depending on the device intended to be held in the holster.
Generally, the holster may comprise walls that form an interior cavity sized to hold the device. A front wall or walls defining a front of the cavity form a spacing that provides access to the cavity. This spacing extends the length or width of the front wall. A user may touch the device through the spacing, and draw the device out of the cavity through the main opening quickly and easily.
The holster described herein may be formed of any material capable of holding the cellular phone or other device in place. Examples of materials of which the holster may be made include, but are not limited to: plastic, leather, metal, composite, fabrics, and the like. In some embodiments, the holster may have multiple layers, such as a soft inner layer and a durable outer layer.
Turning now to FIG. 1, a front view of an embodiment of the holster 1 is provided. The front wall 11 of the holster 1 can be seen forming a front of a cavity for storing the cellular telephone. A spacing 12 is formed by the front wall 11. A top cover is shown here formed as a flap 10 which folds over a top opening of the cavity (not shown), covering much of the front wall 11 and spacing 12, and preventing accidental escape of a device from the cavity.
It should be understood that the top cover may be any configuration that may prevent accidental escape of a device from the cavity. Indeed, the top cover may be any structure capable of moving from a closed position, (preventing escape of the device from the cavity) to an open position (allowing escape of the device from the cavity). It should further be understood that the top cover may not be required, or may be removable in some embodiments wherein the cavity itself, or gravity is sufficient to hold the device in place. Further still, in some embodiments, the top cover may have a spring or similar device (not shown) to bias the top cover in a closed position.
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the holster. A rear wall 20 forms the back of the holster 1 and also the back of the cavity. The rear wall 20 forms a detent 24 which may communicate with, or be aligned with, the spacing of the front wall (shown in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the rear wall 20 may slope forward at its bottom to join with, or form, the front wall. Further, in this embodiment, the flap 10 is attached to the rear wall 20 by a flexible living hinge 25 or similar connection.
Side walls 21 connect the front wall 11 to the rear wall 20. The side walls 21 shown in this embodiment only extend partially along the height of the holster 1 (better shown in FIGS. 5-6). It should be understood however, that in varying embodiments the side walls 21 may extend along the full height of the holster 1.
Two belt loops 22 are shown on the rear wall 20. The belt loops 22 are attached at their ends to the rear wall 20, forming a loop. A belt may be passed through the belt loops 22 and secured to a user. Further, a clip 23 is attached to the rear wall 20. The clip 23 is configured to clip over a user's pants or other article of clothing or accessory, securing the holster 1 in place. While both a clip 23 and belt loops 22 are shown in this embodiment, it should be understood that they may be provided separately. Further, any structure may be attached to the rear wall 20 that may connect the holster 1 to a user, it is not limited to a belt loop 22 or a clip 23.
FIG. 3 provides a top view of an embodiment of the holster 1. The flap 10 is attached to the rear wall 20 by living hinge 25 and extends forward over the top of the holster 1 and downward over the front (not shown). The belt loops 22 and clip 23 are attached to the rear wall 20.
FIG. 4 provides a bottom view of an embodiment of the holster 1. In this embodiment, the bottom wall is an extension of the front wall 11. Further, in this embodiment the front wall 11 comprises two portions, a first front wall portion 11 a and a second front wall portion 11 b. The separation between the first and second front walls 11 a, 11 b defines the spacing 12. The flap 10 is in a closed position over the cavity top opening (not shown) and in contact with the front walls 11 a and 11 b. In this embodiment, the flap 10 is held to the front walls 11 a, 11 b by a magnetic connection. In one embodiment, the magnetic connection elements such as a magnet and/or magnetic metal are positioned under a layer of the holster material, thereby hiding the magnetic elements. It should be understood that the flap may be held to the front walls 11 a, 11 b, in any manner including a snap connection, hook and loop connection, slide in attachment, removable adhesive, or the like. Further, in some embodiments, the flap 10 may be held over the front walls by gravity.
The front walls 11 a and 11 b slope towards the rear wall 20 and join thereto forming a bottom wall. Side walls 21 join the front walls 11 a, 11 b and the rear wall 20. The spacing 12 can be seen at the bottom. The spacing 12 extends the height of the front walls both on the bottom wall, and along the front wall face to the top cavity opening(not shown). The belt loops 22 and clip 23 are attached to the rear wall 20.
FIGS. 5 and 5A provide side views of an embodiment of the holster. The belt loops 22 and clip 23 are attached to the rear wall 20. The side wall 21 joins the front wall 11 and rear wall 20. The cavity 50 formed by the holster walls can be seen over and under the side wall 20. A top cavity opening 101 is defined between the rear wall 20 and an end of the front wall 11 a, 11 b. The flap 10 is in a closed position, thus limiting access to the top cavity opening 101.
FIG. 6 provides a front perspective view of an embodiment of the holster. The flap 10 can be seen extending from the rear wall 20 over the cavity 50 and top cavity opening 101 to the front walls 11 a, 11 b. Side wall 21 connects the rear wall 20 to the front wall portion 11 a. The spacing 12 extends vertically as defined by the separation of the front wall portions 11 a, 11 b.
In some embodiments, the spacing 12 may be oriented differently than shown. The spacing may be oriented in any way that it extends fully through a width or length of the front wall. It may be in the center, as shown in FIG. 6, or off center, closer to one side or another.
FIG. 7 provides a rear perspective view of the holster. The belt loops 22 and clip 23 are attached to the rear wall 20. The flap 10 can be seen extending from the rear wall 20 via a living hinge 25, over the cavity 50 and top cavity opening 101, to the front walls 11 a, 11 b. Side wall 21 connects the rear wall 20 to the front wall 11. The rear wall forms a detent 24 which may communicate with the spacing 12.
FIG. 8 provides a front perspective view of the holster with a cellular phone positioned therein. In this embodiment, the flap 10 is open, allowing removal of the cellular phone 90 from the holster 1. The cavity top opening 101 can be seen in this view with the cellular phone 90 being partially removed through it. In this view, the entire spacing 12 may be seen defined by front walls 11 a and 11 b. This spacing 12 extends from a bottom edge to top edge of the front walls 11 a, 11 b, completely separating the two. As such, a hand of a user 100 may draw the phone fully from the case by passing a finger or fingers 100 through the spacing 12 from a bottom to top. In an alternate embodiment, the spacing 12 may extend almost entirely across the front wall, but not entirely, leaving a small section connecting the front wall first portion 11 a to the front wall second portion 11 b.
FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the holster. The holster is shown in relation to a belt 80. The belt 80 may be passed through the belt loops 22 and optionally the clip 23 all of which are attached to the rear wall 20. In this embodiment, the clip defines an aperture sized to allow the belt 80 to pass through. In some embodiments, the belt loop and clip may be the same structure.
In operation, the holster may be used in any number of ways. Generally, one desirable feature of the holster is its spacing passing through all or almost all of the length or width of the front wall. This spacing allows the device within the holster 1 to be fully withdrawn with a single hand, in a single motion.
The holster may be attached to any element of clothing of a user, or an accessory, depending on configuration.
Further, and potentially alternatively, the holster may even be disposed in a purse, pocket, or bag of the user. When the user desires the device within the holster, it may be opened, and removed with just one hand.
While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cellular telephone holster comprising:

a rear wall;

a front wall having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and second portion being separated, defining a spacing between them, the spacing extending from a first edge of the front wall to a second edge of the front wall, the second edge being opposite to the first edge;

a sidewall connecting the front wall and rear wall on a side of the holster;

a bottom wall connecting the front wall and rear wall on a bottom of the holster; and

wherein the rear wall, front wall, sidewall, and bottom wall define a cavity sized to receive the cellular telephone and define a top cavity opening providing access to the cavity.

2. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the spacing defined by the first portion and second portion of the front wall is oriented vertically along a height of the front wall.

3. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the spacing defined by the first portion and second portion of the front wall is oriented horizontally along a width of the front wall.

4. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 further comprising a belt loop on the rear wall.

5. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 further comprising a clamp on the rear wall.

6. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the bottom wall defines a lower spacing in communication with the spacing of the front wall.

7. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 further comprising a top cover attached to a top edge of the rear wall.

8. The cellular telephone holster of claim 7 wherein the top cover is a flap attached to the rear wall by a living hinge.

9. The cellular telephone holster of claim 7 wherein the top cover is capable of an open position, allowing the cellular telephone access to the top cavity opening, and a closed position, preventing the cellular telephone access to the too cavity opening.

10. The cellular telephone holster of claim 9 wherein the top cover is removably held in the closed position by a magnetic connection between the top cover and the front wall.

11. The cellular telephone holster of claim 9 wherein the top cover further comprises a spring, the spring urging the top cover to the closed position.

12. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the spacing is sized to allow passage of a human finger.

13. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the rear wall, bottom wall, and front wall are integrally formed, the bottom wall extending from the rear wall, and the front wall extending from the bottom wall.

14. The cellular telephone holster of claim 7 wherein the rear wall, bottom wall, front wall and top cover are integrally formed, the bottom wall extending from the rear wall, the front wall extending from the bottom wall, and the top cover extending from the rear wall.

15. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the rear wall further comprises a first layer bounding the cavity, and a second layer on an exterior of the rear wall.

16. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the front wall further comprises a first layer bounding the cavity, and a second layer on an exterior of the front wall.

17. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the rear wall further comprises a belt loop and a clip.

18. The cellular telephone holster of claim 1 wherein the bottom wall forms a rounded bottom of the cavity.

19. A method of removing a cellular telephone from a holster containing the cellular telephone comprising the steps of:

opening a top cover of the holster allowing the cellular telephone to be removed from the holster;

placing a finger onto the phone by passing the finger through a lower spacing on a bottom wall of the holster;

drawing the cellular telephone out of the holster, comprising the steps of:

lifting the cellular telephone with the finger;

drawing the finger from the lower spacing, to a spacing defined by a front wall of the holster, and through the spacing, the spacing extending from a bottom edge of the holster front wall to a top edge of the holster front wall; and

grasping the phone one the finger is drawn past the top edge of the holster front end and out of the spacing.

20. A cellular telephone holster comprising:

a rear wall;

a front wall having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and second portion being separated,

defining a spacing between them, the spacing extending from a first edge of the front wall to a second edge of the front wall and oriented vertically along a height of the front wall;

a sidewall connecting the front wall and rear wall on a side of the holster;

a bottom wall, connecting the front wall and rear wall on a bottom of the holster;

wherein the rear wall, front wall, sidewall, and bottom wall define a cavity sized to receive the cellular telephone and define a top cavity opening;

a belt loop attached to the rear wall;

a clip attached to the rear wall;

wherein the bottom wall defines a lower spacing in communication with the spacing of the front wall;

a top cover attached to a top edge of the rear wall, wherein the top cover is a flap attached to the rear wall by a living hinge, the flap being capable of an open position, allowing the cellular telephone access to the top cavity opening, and a closed position, preventing the cellular telephone access to the too cavity opening;

wherein the top cover is removably held in the closed position by a magnetic connection between the top cover and the front wall.