CLIP ASSEMBLY FOR PORTABLE PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to the field of securing small portable personal communication devices (such as cell phones, digital phones, beepers, pagers, global positioning systems, miniature PC's, and the like) to an article of clothing or other desired surface (e.g. auto interior) . More particularly it relates to a way of attaching such devices to a belt, clothing loop, purse, extension from a vehicle interior or other similar extension, and removing them therefrom, without the user needing to look at the connection mechanism.
People are using a variety of portable electronic devices for communication. Technological advancements have lead to a dramatic reduction in the size and weight of such equipment, thus rendering the equipment suitable to be carried around for extended periods by the user. However, many of these devices are still too large to fit comfortably within the pocket of a shirt or pants.
While such devices are sometimes carried in purses or brief cases, when such purses or brief cases are not being carried it is still sometimes desirable to carry them. In particular, when the device is not in use, it is desirable to have some way of attaching these devices to garments or clothing articles, or automobile interiors, so as to free the user's hands between use.
There have been some attempts to affix items such as mobile telephones to a person's limb or clothing. In some cases, longitudinal parallel slits are provided in a holder for such a device (or on the housing for the device itself) through which a belt may be threaded.
While this mounts the device on a belt, the belt must at
least partially be removed from the user's waist to separate the device from the belt.
In another approach, tethers were fastened to such devices, or to a carrying case therefor. As an example, one end of a lanyard was clipped to such a device or its carrying case, and the opposing loop of the lanyard was placed around a person's head so that the device hung against the chest. However, this left the device free to swing about the person's neck. Flexible tethers have also been used to secure such devices around a belt. If the tethers are loose-fitting, the device is left relatively free to swing around and slide along the belt. Even where the connection is a tighter one, tethers are typically clipped to such devices or their cases by a thumb-activated latch attached to a metal ring on the devices or their cases. These latches are typically small and difficult to operate without looking at them. Also, such devices still permit the personal communication device to swing too much.
Sometimes a flat spring (typically in the form of a downwardly extending hair pin shaped hook) is attached to the device or its carrying case. Its end can be hooked on a belt. However, when the user is sitting, the flat spring tends to work its way up off the belt. Moreover, if the spring is wrongly positioned it can poke the user when the user bends over.
With respect to automobiles, a variety of pockets and other mounts have been designed to mount a car phone between uses. However, many of these are complex, bulky, and/or restricted to particular locations.
A variety of types of prior art buckle connectors have been developed. One type has laterally flexible legs that snap lock with another connector part. This connector is typically used to form the terminal ends of the straps that surround a life jacket. However, this use has nothing to do with personal communication
devices, and in any case the buckle halves are connected to opposite ends of the same strap.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system for attaching a mobile personal communication device such as a cell phone or digital phone to a human garment belt, human garments, and vehicle interiors.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides a clip assembly for attaching a personal communication device to an item selected from the group consisting of garment belt, garment extension, purse extension, and an extension from a vehicle interior. The assembly has a first connector part having a first coupling end and an opposing loop end. The loop end has a lateral aperture sized so as to be suitable to receive the item.
A second connector part has a coupling end and an opposing personal communication device end. The personal communication device end is connectible to a product selected from the group consisting of personal communication devices and carrying cases therefor.
One of the first and second coupling ends includes two legs extending longitudinally, at least one of said legs having a transverse catch along at least one outer side of the leg and terminating with a tapered foot. The other of the first and second coupling ends has a longitudinal aperture sized to receive said legs and at least one opening at a portion of a side such that said leg with a catch can engage a transverse edge of the side opening to releasably interlock the first and second connector parts. The side opening allows for inward deflection of the leg with a catch to disengage the catch and release the two connector parts from each other.
In preferred forms, the loop end is rigid and integral with the first connector part, or the lateral aperture of the loop end is defined by a flexible material that is connected by a threading connection to the first connector part, or the loop end is joined to
the coupling end of the first connector part by a swivel connection such that the first coupling end can pivot with respect to the loop end about a transverse pivot axis . In another aspect the personal communication device end lateral aperture is sized to receive a flat spring extending downwardly from the rear of a carrying case for a telephone.
In an aspect especially suitable for use with pant belt loops and vehicle interior extensions, the loop end can be formed with an opening in communication with a region between the two legs.
The clip assembly of the present invention provides a hands-free attachment system for a personal communication device. The assembly prevents the device from swinging wildly when the person is engaged in walking, running or the like.
The invention is not uncomfortable to use when a person is seated. Further, it does not limit a person's range of motion when bending over. The clip assembly allows the device to be repositioned as needed when the person bends at the waist.
The invention can be linked directly to the device itself. However, it is most suitable to be linked to carrying cases of the type formed with a flat spring hook
(e.g. most preferably those that have been designed to hook directly onto a belt or the like) . The clip assembly attaches to such a hook without any modification or additional attachments needed. Alternatively, the carrying case for the phone (or the phone itself) can be integrally formed with the second connector part. In such embodiments, the second connector part need not be separately formed.
The clip assembly can be easily buckled and unbuckled. The buckle halves couple by inserting tapered legs of one buckle half into a cavity of the mating buckle half. The tapered end (preferably ends) of the
leg (preferably legs) make them easy to insert into the cavity with appropriate inward deflection driven by the taper. This can be easily achieved even when one is not looking at the buckle halves. The buckled halves can be easily separated by depressing the tapered ends of the legs inwardly.
The assembly produces a clearly audible click to announce a safe connection of the connector parts. Thus, a user need not look at the device, or even tug at the device, to confirm a good linkage.
While release can easily be accomplished when desired by simultaneous and opposite pinching forces on the opposed legs, such forces are unlikely to occur by chance. Thus, the linkage is secure in typical environments to which it will be exposed. Moreover, the nature of the linkage is such that it can take a sheer load in excess of 50 kilograms without breaking apart.
In a vehicle environment an adhesive pad can be provided that can be affixed at any convenient and safe position in the vehicle interior. The pad will have an extension (e.g. a loop of plastic or cloth) that can be used to retain the second connector part.
These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention. Reference is therefore made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a belt clip assembly of the present invention, with the environment in which it is typically to be used shown in dotted lines;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the belt clip assembly of Fig. 1, looped on a belt;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the belt clip assembly of Fig. 1, partially in section; Fig. 4 is an exploded frontal view of a portion of the belt clip assembly of Fig. 1, with a portion of the lower connector part cut away;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the Fig. 1 belt clip assembly; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-
6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but of a second embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, but of the Fig. 7 embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 7, but of a third embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Figs. 3 and 8, but of the Fig. 9 embodiment; Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but with the garment belt replaced by a pant belt loop, and the first connector part modified to accommodate this;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the clip assembly of Fig. 11 attached to a purse rather than a pant belt loop;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment connecting such a device to a vehicle interior; and
Fig. 14 is perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment in which the second connector part is integrally formed with a carrying case for the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figs. 1-3, a first embodiment of the clip assembly 10 is shown looped over a person's belt 12. In a conventional manner, just as one would thread the belt through a loop in pants, one threads the belt 12
through the loop 26 to connect the clip assembly first part to the belt.
Fig. 1 also shows a conventional phone carrying case 14 into which a mobile telephone 16 (not shown) has been inserted. There are first 18 and second 20 buckle halves/connector parts that engage to releasably fasten the mobile telephone case 14 to the belt 12. The buckle halves/connector parts 18 and 20 are preferably molded of a rigid plastic, such as polypropylene. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the first buckle half 18 has a belt loop end 22 opposite a male coupling end 24. The belt loop end 22 in this embodiment includes a flexible strap 26, preferably a fabric or polypropylene webbing. Loop 26 is preferably relatively wide (e.g. over an inch) to inhibit rotation of the loop along a vertical axis. A first end of the strap 26 is threaded through openings 28 adjacent to a lateral cross member 30. The openings 28 and cross member 30 extend between opposite sides 32 and 34 joined at two additional cross members 36 and 38 adjacent to the openings 28.
The top cross member 36 has an angled rear surface slanting away from the openings 28 from front to back providing a smooth surface for insertion and travel of the strap 26. The first end of the strap 26 is fastened to a portion of the strap 26 approximately one inch from the first end 26 to form a small, fixed loop 27 about the cross member 30. A second end of the strap 26 is threaded back through the openings 28 and around the cross member 30 to form a belt loop 35 defining a transverse opening 33 suitable to fit a standard belt.
The second end of the strap 26 may be fastened to another portion of the strap 26 after forming the belt loop 35. Alternately, the second end of the strap 26 may be left unsecured so that the size of the belt loop 32 may be adjusted by pulling or retracting the second end of the strap 26, or so that the belt loop 35 may be
undone to remove the first buckle half 18 from the belt 12 without unbuckling the belt 12.
As can best be seen in Fig. 5, opposite the belt loop end 22, the male coupling end 24 has two side legs 40 and a central guide post 42 depending downward from cross member 38. The side legs 40 define transverse catches 46, for engagement with the second buckle half 20 as described below, proximate their midpoint. These legs terminate at feet 44 having a tapered outer surface. The second buckle half 20 has a female coupling end
48 and an opposite personal communication device end 50. Front 52 and back 54 surfaces (see Fig. 6) define a generally I-shaped cavity 56 having openings 58 and 60 in each side 62 and 64, respectively and an opening 66 at the top. Inwardly projecting runners 68 define a longitudinal alignment channel 70 extending along the lateral center of the cavity 56.
Referring to Fig. 4, the personal communication device end 50 includes a lateral opening 72 defined by a bottom cross member 74 extending between the sides 62 and 64. The lateral opening 72 is sized to fit over a hook 76 (see Figs. 2 and 3) depending downwardly from a telephone carrying case 14.
The buckle halves 18/20 are interlocked by inserting the male coupling end 24 of the first buckle half 18 within the top opening 66 of the second buckle half 20 such that the guide post 42 is disposed within the channel 70 and the legs 40 are within the cavity 56 adjacent to each side 62 and 64. The tapered ends of the legs 44 facilitate insertion of the male coupling end 24 into the female coupling end 38 and fit of the guide post 42 in the channel 70 ensures proper alignment.
As the male coupling end 24 is inserted into the female coupling end 48, the legs 44 are driven to deflect inwardly by virtue of the sides 62 and 64 of the second buckle half 20 having a slightly smaller lateral dimension that the tapered ends. Referring particularly
to Fig. 5, when the male coupling end 24 is fully seated in the female coupling end 28, the tapered ends are permitted to flex outwardly so as to be disposed in the side openings 58 and 60 (where the legs are in a less deflected state) . In this position, the transverse catches 46 abut a top edge 78 of each side opening 58 and 60 so that the buckle halves 18 and 20 are interlocked. In this position, the telephone and telephone carrier are effectively locked to the belt. The act of interlocking also causes a loud and distinct click. This is due to the thigh of the leg snapping against the sides of the other connector part as the catches move into place.
The buckle halves 18 and 20 may be released from each other by depressing the tapered ends of legs 44 inwardly so that the legs can permit the catches 46 to clear the holder 78. The angle of the tapered ends causes a longitudinal force to be applied to the first buckle half 18 when tapered ends are so depressed, which is sufficient to drive the legs and guide posts 42 from the cavity 56. Thus, the buckle halves 18 and 20 can be easily disengaged.
It should be appreciated from this disclosure that the mobile telephone holder 14 can pivot upward at the strap 26 when the person wearing the belt clip assembly 10 is seated, bending or squatting. Yet at the same time, by sizing the belt loop 32 to fit snugly over the belt 12, the mobile phone holder 14 remains securely constrained to the person so that it does not dangle or swing about the person when exercising or engaged in other activities.
Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the clip assembly is shown. Similar parts are shown with similar numerals where the part is different, albeit with the designation "A" thereafter. In this regard, assembly 10A includes first 18A and second 20 buckle halves, made of a rigid plastic. The second buckle half
20 is identical to that described above with regard to the first embodiment. The first buckle half 18A, however, includes a riσid belt loop 80 molded as a single piece with the male coupling end 24A. Again, there are legs 40A with tapered ends 44A and transverse catches 46A as well as a central guide post 42A identical to that of the first embodiment.
The rigid belt loop 80 has front 82 and back 84 surfaces, which define a fixed-sized transverse opening 86 of suitable dimension to slide onto the person's belt 12. The second buckle half 20 attaches to and is released from the first buckle half 18A in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. Similarly, the second buckle 20 connects to the carrying case 14 in the same way as described. This embodiment is particularly advantageous where the direction of movement of the cell phone holder needs to be more precisely controlled.
Referring to Figs. 9-10, a third embodiment is shown. Again, similar parts have similar numbers, albeit the designation "B" is used to indicate a different but analogous part. There are first 18B and second 20 buckle halves, made of a suitable rigid plastic. The second buckle half 20 is identical to that described above with regard to the first and second embodiments. The first buckle half 18B, however, includes a swivel joint 88 created by joining a rigid belt loop- component 90 and a coupler component 92 along a pivot axis 9 .
The belt loop component 90 has a rigid belt loop 96 defined by front 98 and back 100 surfaces including a transverse aperture 102 sized to slide onto the belt 12. Joined to the belt loop 96 by an intermediate longitudinal segment 104 is a semi-circular pivot end 106 having a pivot post 108 at its center. The coupler component 92 has a semi-circular pivot end 110 having a pivot post receptor opening 112 at its center. A coupling end 114 integral with and opposite from the pivot end 110
includes longitudinally depending legs 4 OB having tapered ends 44B and catches 46B as well as a central guide post 42B, all of which are identical to that described above in the first and second embodiments. The belt loop 90 and coupler 92 components are joined together by inserting the pivot post 108 within the pivot post receptor opening 112. They are held together by a retainer 113 at an end of the pivot post 108, which has a larger diameter than the pivot post receptor opening 112.
The pivot end 104 is offset from the transverse center of the belt loop component 90 so that it is substantially in the plane of the back surface 100. This offset affords the first buckle half 18B a generally uniform thickness when the belt loop 90 and coupler 92 components are joined. In this configuration the coupler component 92 can rotate through roughly 300°. Alternatively, the pivot end 104 of the belt loop component 90 may be offset so that it is substantially in the plane of the front surface 98. In this configuration, the coupler component 92 can rotate through a complete circle without contacting the belt loop component 90.
Either way the second buckle half 20 attaches to and is released from the coupler component 92 of the first buckle half 18B in the same manner as described in the first and second embodiments. Similarly, the second buckle 20 connects to the carrying case 14 in the same way as described. The belt clip 10B of the third embodiment constrains the mobile telephone case 14 more closely to the person's body so that it does not freely swing about when the person is in motion or engaged in a physical activity, but it allows the case 14 to swivel about the pivot axis 94 where desired.
Fig. 11 depicts how the Fig. 4 construction can be modified for use with a vertically extending belt loop
110 on a conventional pair of pants 111. In this construction, a second connector part 112 can be identical to second buckle half 20 of Fig. 4. The first connector part 113 is similar to the first buckle half 22 of Fig. 4 except for the provision of only a single lateral aperture 115 which has a channel passage 116 in communication with the area 117 between legs 118 and 119.
It will be appreciated that in the case of a belt loop like loop 110, a consumer will not want to remove one end of the loop from the pants 111 in order to thread it through the lateral aperture 115 (followed by resewing the loop end to the pants) . Instead, the loop can be placed between legs 118 and 119 adjacent the passage 116, pass through the passage, and then be positioned in the lateral aperture 115 without removal of an end of the belt loop.
Fig. 12 shows an embodiment similar to Fig. 11, except that the first connector part 113 is now attached to a strap of a purse. Fig. 13 is another embodiment in which the connector parts 112 and 113 are again used. However, in this case instead of the pants belt loop the clip assembly is used with an attachment pad 130 having a loop-like extension 131. The back surface 132 of the pad 130 can be formed with an adhesive (which is covered by a tear-off sheet until use) . The adhesive can permit the pad to be positioned at the desired location in a vehicle interior. A connector such as part 113 is prepositioned on the extension 131. A cell phone or the like can then be easily clipped in place (e.g. after being removed from a belt clip) .
It should be appreciated that if desired aperture 115 can be made smaller than the diameter of extension 131 such that extension 131 will snap fit into the linked position, and resist removal.
Fig. 14 shows yet another embodiment. In this embodiment a second connector part 140 is integrally formed as part of the carrying case 141 for a cell phone. While the foregoing specification illustrates and describes the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein disclosed. The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes. For example, the figures show the first buckle half having a male coupling end. However, the male and female coupling ends could be on opposite buckle halves. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than solely to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
Industrial Applicability The present invention provides assemblies for connecting personal communication devices such as mobile telephones (and their holders) to a garment belt or the like.