WO2003017073A1

WO2003017073A1 - Holder for a palm-sized electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2003017073A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/020286
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Canter; Thompson Canter
Original assignee: Mark Canter; Thompson Canter
Priority date: 2001-08-20
Filing date: 2002-06-26
Publication date: 2003-02-27

Abstract

A holder (10) for a palm-sized electronic device (200) includes a back case cover (12) and a pivot cover (14). The back case cover (12) has a base (20) that includes a front surface (22) and a back surface (24).

Description

HOLDER FOR A PALM-SIZED ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Background Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective case type enclosure or holder. More specifically, the invention concerns a protective body mountable holder for use with an electrical device, such as a palm-sized electronic device. Reference to Related Art

Recent improvements to palm-sized electronic devices (PEDs) such as improved memory capacity, ease of use, reduced size, and cost make it natural that their application would permeate from a clean home or "office" environment into a dirty, non-friendly environment such as a shop floor. In an "office" environment, the act of removing a PED from a desk drawer (or briefcase or jacket pocket), sliding off the leather sheath (or opening the case) and then placing the PED onto a tabletop (or desktop) can occur without issue or mishap. However, in a "shop floor" environment of a floor worker, these seemingly simple actions are often difficult if not impossible to perform and can easily result in damage to or loss of the PED and frustration for the worker.

Currently a PED will range in cost from $250 to $600+ depending upon the model and its features. However, if the PED is dropped from just a few feet onto a hard floor or is exposed to oily or greasy conditions while not in its protective case, then there is high probability that the PED will be damaged. Even minor damage can result in loss of valuable data or the destruction of the PED. Unfortunately, non-office dominated businesses usually have hard or dirty floors, elevated work platforms and oily or greasy conditions where workers spend most of their time. In such an environment, speed and efficiency dominate. Anything difficult to use or that wastes time is quickly discarded. Presently, if a worker desires to use a PED, they are required to 1) remove the PED from a shirt (or coat pocket), 2) remove the PED from a sheath or case, 3) turn on the PED, 4) remove a stylus, 5) make a few clicks on the appropriate screen areas, 6) turn off the PED, 7) replace the PED back into the sheath or case and 8) slip the PED back into a shirt or coat pocket until needed again. Such a procedure is unquestionably inefficient. Indeed, if such a procedure were repeated over and over throughout the workday, the worker is likely to get frustrated and thus stop using said device.

It is, of course, possible for the worker to attempt an alternative method such as 1) retrieving the PED and immediately removing the protective cover or case (leaving it off for the day), 2) placing the PED on or near their work area (a press or paint booth or truck hood or greasy shelf), 3) then, when needed, gripping the PED with dirty, oily or greasy hands and turning it on, 4) entering data and then 5) turning off the PED and returning it to its resting place. However, under these conditions the life span of the PED would not be long. Hence, in order for PEDs to successfully be implemented into manufacturing, fabricating, construction, or other non-office dominated businesses on a long-term basis and to be successfully placed directly into the hands of floor workers, these environment-related issues must be overcome. U.S. Patent No. 6,239,968 to Ideo Product Development, Inc. shows a detachable case for PEDs. The case has a front and back cover forming an enclosure to contain a PED that in turn is mounted to the inside by a rail. The two covers are attached by a hinge that allows the case to be opened and closed, exposing and protecting the PED. This design protects the PED while not in use, carries the stylus, can be carried in a shirt or coat pocket, is quickly opened and closed and is small and lightweight. However, it does not include the ability to view and use the PED's screen while supported from the user's body hands-free or the ability to efficiently store and protect a PED. Instead, a user must remove the PED from a pocket or shelf, open the case to use it, use it, close the case and return the PED back to the shirt or coat pocket or shelf when finished. In a "shop floor" environment, a worker who had to use his PED device many times a day could quickly get frustrated with the hassle of repeatedly of getting out and putting away the PED. Under such a scenario, a worker would likely stop using the device or would simply remove the protective case and leave it off throughout the workday; thereby significantly increasing the risks of lost data or destruction of the PED. In either case, non- office businesses would quickly shy away from using said PEDs and thus not benefit from their potential uses.

U.S. Patent No. 6,196,405 to Rhinoskin, Inc. shows a case for protecting a PED. The case includes a base having a pair of hinge pins and a cover having a pair of opposing slots that slidably receive the pair of hinge pins. When the case is opened, the cover hinges about the pins then slides underneath and about the base to provide a compact holding unit. This design is similar in function to the '968 patent discussed above in that it protects the PED while not in use, can be carried in a shirt or coat pocket, is quickly opened and closed and is small and lightweight. However, this design also does not provide the user with ability to view and use the PED's screen while supported from the user's body hands-free or the ability to efficiently protect and store a PED.

Each of the above patents is directed to PEDs used in a clean home or office type environment where the cases can be safely placed on a desk or tabletop in the open configuration for long durations. However, in the non- office or shop floor environment, the designs of the above patents would not last and would not be used by workers.

Hard-shelled cases have been used for years to protect PEDs that are easily damaged by dirty environments and or unwanted impacts. However, while these early case designs solved the protection problem, the solution created new problems. For example, it was not unusual to see a protective case removed and left off leaving the sensitive device exposed to the environment. This was done because the user who needed to access a PED frequently would eliminate the hassles of having to constantly remove the protective case by permanently removing it. Furthermore, carrying around a hard protective case in the worker's sweaty shirt or pant pocket all day quickly becomes uncomfortable. Therefore, in the user's eyes, permanently removing the protective case was a solution to avoid the frustrating and difficult task of having to remove the protect case just to use the PED for a brief moment. Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a holder for a palm-sized electronic device. The holder includes a back case cover and a pivot cover. The back case cover has a base that includes a front surface and a back surface, a sidewall extending from the front surface and a holder mount that is secured to the back surface. The pivot cover is adapted to hold a palm-sized electronic device and is pivotably secured to the back case cover. The pivot cover is movable in a translational and rotational arrangement from a closed position wherein the pivot cover engages the back case cover to thereby substantially enclose a palm-sized electronic device and an open position wherein the pivot cover is positioned in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the back case cover.

In a preferred embodiment, the back case cover includes a base having a front surface and a back surface. A sidewall extends from the front surface around the perimeter of the base and a holder mount is secured to the back surface. The pivot cover is a preferably a front case cover that is adapted to hold a palm-sized electronic device. The front case cover includes a base and a sidewall that extends around the base. One end of the base and sidewall of the front case cover are tapered or offset on each side to allow pivoting of the front case cover. A pair of upper links extends between and is pivotably attached to opposing sidewalls of the back case cover and the front case cover. Additionally, a pair of lower links extends between the front case cover and the back case cover. Each lower link includes first straight end that is pivotally attached to a lower mounting point on the interior of the sidewall of the back case cover and a bent end that is pivotally attached to a lower mounting point on the exterior of the sidewall of the front case cover. The bent end in each lower link provides clearance between the lower links and the front case cover such that the holder can be placed in a closed position. A holder mount is secured to the back surface of the base. Preferably, the holder mount is a slipover belt clip. However, the holder mount can also be a hinged belt loop or a belt clip loop. As further alternative, the holder mount can be a strap that is affixed to the holder. As a still further alternative, the holder mount can be a spring bias clip that is securable to a user's belt.

In a first alternative embodiment, the holder includes a slot or door that is defined in the sidewall at the top of the pivot cover. The slot provides the holder with additional space such that a user is able to insert and remove a compact flash card, memory card or the like through the slot and into the PED.

In a second alternative embodiment of the holder, the pivot cover includes a front case cover and swing cover. The front case cover is pivotably mounted to the back case cover and includes a base that has a front surface, a back surface and a sidewall that extends upwardly from the front surface of the base and around the bottom and sides of the front case cover. The swing cover is pivotably secured to the front case cover and has a front surface and a sidewall that extends upwardly from the front surface around the perimeter of the base. The swing cover has an offset whereby the width is narrower than the width of the front case cover such that the swing cover is nestable in the front case cover.

Finally, in a third alternative embodiment, a body of a PED is used as the pivot cover.

Brief Description of the Drawings A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the associated drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holder constructed in accordance with the present invention in the open configuration showing an installed PED; FIG. 2A depicts a person with a holder mounted on their belt in the open configuration where the arrow depicts a user's line of sight to the face of a PED;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of Fig. Bl showing a holder in the open configuration; FIG. 2C is a perspective view of Fig. Bl showing a holder in the closed configuration; FIG. 3 A is a side view showing a holder in the closed configuration;

FIG. 3B is a side view showing a holder in an intermediate configuration with an arrow depicting relative motion of a front case cover during opening; FIG. 3C is a side view showing a holder in the open configuration with an arrow depicting relative motion of a front case cover when opening;

FIG. 3D is a side view showing a holder in the open configuration with an arrow depicting relative motion of the front case cover when closing;

FIG. 3E is a side view showing a holder in an intermediate configuration with arrow depicting relative motion of the front case cover during closing;

FIG. 3F is a side view showing a holder in the closed configuration;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of holder;

FIG. 5 A is a perspective view of the front case cover; FIG. 5B is a side view of a front case cover taken along section line A-

A of FIG. 5 A;

FIG. 6 A is a perspective view of the back case cover;

FIG. 6B is a side view of a back case cover taken along section line B- B of FIG. 6A; FIGS. 7A-C, are perspective views respectively of a right lower link, left lower link and of a upper link;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a slipover belt clip;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front case cover with attached VELCRO® strips and of a PED with attached VELCRO® strips; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a holder of a first alternative embodiment in an open configuration with an installed PED and a compact flash card;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a back case cover, front case cover, compact flash card, compact flash card grooves and thumb grip plate; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a holder of a first alternative embodiment with a compact flash card installed while in the closed configuration;

FIGS. 13A-B are side views of a holder with a top end sectioned to detail the latching mechanism in the unlatched configuration (13 A) and latched configuration (13B);

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a sheath;

FIG. 14B shows two side cutaway views of an open unclasped end and closed clasped end of a sheath taken along line C-C of FIG. 14A; FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a holder with hinged belt loops attached to a back case cover;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a holder with belt clip loops attached to a back case cover;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a holder with a shoulder strap attached to a back case cover;

FIG. 18 A is a side view of a holder of a second alternative embodiment in a closed configuration incorporating a "pivot and swing" opening mechanism;

FIG. 18B is a side view of a holder of a second alternative embodiment in a partially open configuration incorporating a "pivot and swing" opening mechanism;

FIG. 18C is a side view of a holder of a second alternative embodiment in an open configuration incorporating a "pivot and swing" opening mechanism; FIG. 19A is a sectional view of a flat head screw with setscrew attachments joint made at the end of each linkage;

FIG. 19B is a sectional view of an E-ring pin joint made at the end of each linkage;

FIG. 19C is a sectional view of a rivet pin joint made at the end of each link; and FIG 20 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of a holder of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figures 1-9, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a holder for a palm-sized electronic device 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The holder 10 includes a back case cover 12 and a pivot cover 14 that can engage the back case cover 12 and is adapted to hold a palm- sized electronic device (PED) 200. A pair of upper links 16 and a pair of lower links 18 extend between and are pivotably secured to the back case cover 12 and the pivot cover 14. The pivot cover 14 is thus movable from a closed position wherein it engages the back case cover 12 to thereby substantially enclose the PED 200 to an open position wherein it is supported at a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the back case cover 12. A holder mount 19 is secured to the back case cover 12 for use in attaching the holder 10 to a belt of a user. The holder 10 and its associated parts are preferably constructed of aluminum. However, it will be appreciated that other materials, composites or polymers that have the requisite strength and weight properties may also be used to form the holder 10. Alternatively, the holder 10 may be constructed of a durable fabric (e.g., such as Teflon®). As a still further alternative, the holder 10 can be constructed with a combination of metal and fabric (or metal and polymer). For example, the covers 12, 14 can be constructed of a polymer and the links 16, 18 can be constructed of aluminum.

Still referring now to Figures 1, 3A-4 and 6A-6B, the back case cover 12 of the holder 10 includes a base 20 having a front surface 22 and a back surface 24. A sidewall 26 extends upwardly from the front surface 22 around the perimeter of the base 20. An upper 28 and lower 29 mounting point (or aperture) is disposed in the sidewall 26 along each side 30, 32 of the base 20 and is used (as discussed below) in pivotably securing the upper links 16 and lower links 18 to the sidewall 26. Additionally, a series of apertures 34, for securing the holder mount 19 (as discussed below), are defined in and extend though the base 20 proximate a top 31 of the base 20.

Referring to Figures 1, 3A-5B, 9 and 13, the pivot cover 14 of the preferred embodiment is a front case cover 36 having base 38 that includes a front surface 40 and a back surface 42. A sidewall 44 extends upwardly from the front surface 40 of the base 38 and around the perimeter of the front case cover 36. One end 46 of the base 38 and sidewall 44 of the front case cover 36 is tapered or offset on each side to allow pivoting of the front case cover 36 as will be described below. An upper 48 and lower 50 mounting point (or aperture) are disposed in the sidewall 44 along each side 52, 54 of the base 38 for use in pivotably securing the upper links 16 and lower links 18 to the sidewall 44. The lower mounting points 50 are preferably positioned in the tapered or offset end 46 of the back case cover 12 to allow the holder 10 to be placed in a closed position. A latch 56, such as a spring steel latch, is positioned on the interior 58 of the sidewall 44 proximate the top 59 of the front case cover 12. The latch 56 contacts the back case cover 12 when the holder 10 is in the closed position to secure the front case cover 14 to the back case cover 12. It will be appreciated that the latch 56 can be integral with the back case cover 12 or be formed as a separate element and secured to the back case cover 12 by screws (or the like).

The front surface 40 of the base 38 and sidewall 44 are preferably dimensioned to hold a PED 200. As best shown in Figure 9, the PED 200 is preferably secured on the front surface 40 of the base 38 by the use of VELCRO® strips 202 positioned on the front surface 40 and on a back 204 of the PED 200. It will be appreciated that the front surface 40 of the front case cover 12 and back 204 of the PED 200 can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol prior to the attachment of the VELCRO® strips 202 in order to ensure that the VELCRO® is properly secured. As seen in Figure 14, as a further alternative, the PED 200 can be placed into a cloth or polymer sheath 206. The sheath 206 includes a closable end 208 and has a VELCRO® strip 202 on the back 210 for use in attaching the sheath 206 and PED 200 to a VELCRO® strip 202 on the front surface 40 of the base 38. Alternatively, the PED 200 can be secured on the front surface 40 of the base 38 by an adhesive such as super glue or LOCTITE®. As a still further alternative, elastic strips (or similar material) can be mounted on the interior of the pivot cover 14 (front case cover 36) to secure the PED 200.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3A-4 and 7C, straight upper links 16 extend between and are pivotally attached to the upper mounting points 28, 48 on the exterior 30, 32 of the sidewalls 26, 44 of the back case cover 12 and front case cover 36. Each link 16 incorporates a through-hole at each end that has a conical countersink that is adapted to accept rivet pins 212 (See Figure 19C) or, alternatively, flathead screws 214. If a flathead screw 214 is used, a setscrew 216 can be positioned in the sidewall 26, 44 to secure the flathead screw into position. See Figure 19A. As a further alternative, an E-ring pin joint 218 is made at the end of each linkage. See Figure 19B. Referring now to Figures, 1, 3A-4 and 7A-7B, lower links 18 extend between and are pivotably attached to the lower mounting points 29 on the interior 62 of the sidewall 26 of the back case cover 12 and the exterior 52, 54 of the sidewall 44 on the front case cover 14. More specifically, each lower link 18 includes first straight end 66 that is pivotally attached to a lower mounting point 29 on the interior 62 of the sidewall 26 of the back case cover

12 and a bent end 70 that is pivotally attached to the lower mounting points 50 on the exterior 46 of the sidewall 44 of the front case cover 36. It will be appreciated that the bent end 70 of each lower link 18 provides clearance between the lower link 18 and the front case cover 36 such that the holder 10 can be placed in a closed position.

As best shown in Figures 3A-3F, the arrangement of the upper 16 and lower links 18 allows the front case cover 36 to translate and rotate from a closed position through an intermediate position and into an open position where it is substantially perpendicular to the back case cover 12. In the closed position, the sidewall 26 of the back case cover 12 is engaged by the sidewall

44 of the front case cover 36 such that the PED 200 is substantially enclosed within the holder 10. In the open position, the front case cover 36 is supported in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the back case cover 12 such that a user has the optimal line of sight to the front screen of the PED 200 as it is positioned in the front case cover (Figures 2A-2C). A stop 64 is used to position and orient the pivot cover 14 (front case cover 36) relative to the back case cover 12. Preferably, the stop 64 is an integral raised portion on the front surface 22 of the back case cover 22. Alternatively, the stop 64 can be a separate pad or pin that is mounted on or extends from the front surface 22. As a still further alternative, the stop 64 can take the form of a recess in the in back case cover 12 that is engaged by a tongue (not shown) located on the end of the pivot cover 14.

The tapered or offset end 46 of the front case cover 36 provides clearance to the front case cover 36 along with the lower links 18 to drop inside and against or near the back case cover 12 when the holder 10 is open. Therefore, when the holder 10 is in the open position, the tapered or offset end

46 of the front case cover 36 is positioned against or near the front surface 22 of the base 20 of the back case cover 12.

Referring now to Figures 1-4 and 8, the holder mount 19 is preferably an L-shaped slipover belt clip 74 and is secured to the back case cover 12 by screws 76 passed through the apertures 34 that are defined in and extend through the base 20 of the back case cover 12. It will be appreciated that a number of apertures 34 may be spaced along a length of the base 20 in order to permit a user to position the holder mount 19 and thus the holder 10 in a position that provides the user with the greatest degree of comfort when the holder 10 is secured to a belt (see Figure 2A). As shown in Figures 15-17, the holder mount 19 can include a variety of mounting devices such as hinged belt loops 78 (Figure 15), belt clip loops 80 (Figure 16), a spring biased belt clip or a shoulder or neck strap 82 that is attached to said back case cover (Figure 17).

Referring now to Figures 10-12, there is shown a first alternative embodiment of a holder 84 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The holder 84 of the alternative embodiment includes a back case cover 12, a pivot cover 14, which is a front case cover 36, and upper 16 and lower 18 links all as shown and described above in regard to the preferred embodiment. A port 68 is defined in the sidewall 44 at the bottom of the front case cover 36 to permit the PED 200 to connect with peripheral electronic devices (e.g., a docking station) or allow wires or cable (not shown) to be connected to the PED 200. A cover 69 is insertable into the port 68 to protect the interior of the holder 10 when the port 68 is not in use.

A slot 86 or door is defined in the sidewall 44 proximate a top 59 of the front case cover 36. The slot 86 provides a user with additional space such that the user is able to insert or otherwise install a compact flash card 220 or the like into an upper or back slot (not shown) of a PED 200. A grip plate 87 is also preferably mounted to the top 59 of the front case cover 36 to prevent a user from grasping the compact flash card and thus damaging the card during opening of the holder 84. It will be appreciated that the grip plate 87 can be integral with the front case cover 36 or be formed as a separate element and secured to the front case cover 36 by screws (or the like).

Referring now to Figures 18A-C, there is shown a second alternative embodiment of a holder 90 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the second alternative embodiment includes a back case cover 12 and holder mounts 19 constructed as discussed above in regard to the preferred embodiment and a pivot cover 14. The pivot cover 14 includes a front case cover 92 that is pivotally secured to the back case cover 14 and a swing cover 107 that is pivotally secured to the front case 92 and adapted to hold a PED 200. Still referring to Figures 18A-C, the front case cover 92 of the second alternative embodiment includes a base 94 having a front surface 96 and a sidewall 98 extending upwardly from the front surface 96 around the two opposing sides 99 and bottom 102 of the base 94. Hinge points 104 that are adapted to receive rivets 106 extend from the two opposing sides 98, 100 of the sidewall 98 proximate the bottom 102 of the base 94. The front case cover 92 is thus hingedly attached to the bottom of the back case cover 12 by the use of rivets 106 extending through the hinge points 104 to secure the front case cover 92 to the back case cover 12.

The swing cover 107 includes a base 108 having a front surface 110 and a sidewall 111 extending upwardly from the front surface 110 around the perimeter of the base 108. The swing cover 107 is pivotably secured to the front case cover 92 at mounting points 112 positioned on the exterior sidewall 113 of the swing cover 107. Additionally, a portion of the width of the swing cover 107 is narrower than or offset from that of the front case cover 92 such that the swing cover 107 can be nested in the front case cover 92. The pivoting arrangement of the front case cover 92 and swing cover

107 allows both the front case cover 92 and swing cover 107 to translate and rotate from a closed position wherein the front case cover 92 and swing case 107 at least partially engage the back case cover 12 and substantially enclose the PED 200 to an intermediate position that is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the back case cover 12. Thereafter, the swing cover 107 pivots from a first position wherein it is partially nested into an open position where it is approximately perpendicular to the back case cover 12. A stop (not shown) or the like can be located on the front surface 22 of the back case cover 12 to secure or position the swing cover 107 in the open position. Referring now to Figure 20, there is shown a third alternative embodiment of a holder 118 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the third alternative embodiment includes a back case cover 12, holder mounts 19, and upper 16 and lower 18 links that are constructed as discussed above in regard to the preferred embodiment and a pivot cover 14. Preferably, the pivot cover of the third alternative embodiment is a PED 200 having a body 222 that is adapted to engage the back case cover 12. The body 222 has sides 224, 226 that include a tapered or offset end 228 and upper 230 and lower 232 mounting points (or apertures) that are disposed in the sides 224, 226 of the body 222 and used for pivotably securing the upper links 16 and lower links 18 to the PED 200. The lower mounting points 232 are preferably positioned in the tapered or offset end 228 of the body 222 to allow PED 200 to be placed in a closed position.

Having thus described my invention, various embodiments will become apparent to those having skill in the art that do not depart from the scope of the instant claims.

I claim:

Claims

Claims L A holder for a palm-sized electronic device comprising: a back case cover having a base that includes a front surface and a back surface, a sidewall extending from said front surface and a holder mount secured to said back surface; a pivot cover adapted to hold a palm-sized electronic device that is pivotably secured to said back case cover, said pivot cover being movable from a close position wherein said pivot cover engages said back case cover to substantially enclose a palm-sized electronic device and an open position wherein said pivot cover is positioned in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to said back case cover.

2. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, wherein said pivot cover comprises a front case cover having a base that includes a front surface, a back surface and a sidewall that extends upwardly from the front surface of the base around the perimeter of the front case cover.

3. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 2, wherein one end of the base and sidewall of the front case cover is tapered.

4. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 3, further comprising a pair of upper links and a pair of lower links, each of said upper links and lower links being pivotably secured to said back case cover and said front case cover.

5. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 4, wherein one end of each of said lower links is bent.

6. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of upper links and a pair of lower links, each of said upper links and lower links being pivotably secured to said back case cover and said front case cover.

7. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a holder mount secured to said back of said base of said back case cover.

8. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 7, wherein said holder mount comprises a slipover belt clip.

9. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 7, wherein said holder mount comprises a hinged belt loop.

10. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 7, wherein said holder mount comprises a belt clip loop.

11. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 7, wherein said holder mount comprises a spring biased belt clip.

12. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a strap affixed to said back case cover.

13. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, wherein a slot is defined in said sidewall at a top of said pivot cover.

14. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a grip plate mounted to a top said pivot cover.

15. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a port defined in said sidewall of said pivot cover.

16. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, wherein a door is defined in said sidewall at a top of said pivot cover.

17. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, wherein said pivot cover comprises: a front case cover pivotably mounted to said back case cover having base that includes a front surface, a back surface and a sidewall that extends upwardly from the front surface of the base around a bottom and sides of said front case cover; and a swing cover pivotably secured to said front case cover having a front surface and a sidewall extending upwardly from the front surface around the perimeter of the base, said swing cover having a width that is narrower than a width of said front case cover such that the swing case cover is nestable in said front case cover.

18. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, wherein said pivot cover comprises a body for a palm-sized electronic device.

19. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a latch positioned on an interior of said sidewall proximate a top of said pivot cover.

20. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 19, wherein said latch comprises a spring steel latch.

21. The holder for a palm-sized electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a stop located on said back case cover for positioning said pivot cover relative to the back case cover.

22. A holder for a palm-sized electronic device comprising: a back case cover having a base including a back surface and a front surface, a sidewall extending from said front surface around said base and a holder mount secured to said back surface; a front case cover adapted to hold a palm-sized electronic device having a base, a sidewall extending around said base, and a tapered end; a pair of upper links, each upper link extending between and being pivotably attached to an opposing side of said sidewall of said back case cover and said front case cover; and a pair of lower links, each of said lower links extending between said front case cover and said back case cover and having first ends pivotably attached to an opposing side of said sidewall of said back case cover and bent ends pivotably attached to an opposing side of said sidewall on said tapered end of said front case cover.