GB2402610A

GB2402610A - A wrist or forearm mounted mobile telephone carrier.

Info

Publication number: GB2402610A
Application number: GB0313797A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suresh Kumar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-14
Filing date: 2003-06-14
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Also published as: GB0313797D0

Abstract

A mobile telephone carrier comprises a holder 2 which retains a mobile telephone handset which may be removably secured to the wrist 5 or forearm of a user. The holder may comprise a pouch with a closure 3 and/or may comprise a transparent panel 11 allowing the user to view the display screen of the mobile telephone handset. The holder may allow the user to operate the keyboard of the mobile telephone handset without removing it from the holder and may be compatible with a 'hands free' kit. The holder may be secured to the user's wrist or forearm by one or more straps 6/12 which may be resiliently expandible or otherwise adjustable for length. The parts of the straps and holder which contact the user may be padded and/or lined for comfort.

Description

MOBILE TELEPHONE CARRIER

The present invention relates to a carrying device for a mobile telephone or the like. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to a holder for a mobile telephone that may be fastened to the person of the user.

Mobile telephones are a very common tool of modern life, and many users wish to have them conveniently to hand at all times. However, it is frequently inconvenient to have to devote one hand solely to holding a mobile telephone handset to one's ear, and in some circumstances, for example when driving, it may be positively dangerous.

So-called "hands-free" headsets for mobile telephones are widely available, comprising an earphone and a microphone worn around the head and connected via a cable to the handset, which, for example, is carried in a pocket. This still has drawbacks. Accidental activation of a handset carried in a pocket is believed to be an increasing cause of false 999 emergency calls. A handset in a pocket full of keys, coins, etc is vulnerable to damage. Clothing may not have suitable pockets, particularly for female users, and it is hardly convenient or elegant to carry a handset that is connected to a hands-free headset in a handbag or purse. It is common for drivers using hands-free mobile telephones to overcome such problems by depositing the handset on a seat beside them, for example. However, the handset may slide off the seat while the user is driving, and the cable extending across the vehicle from handset to headset can be inconvenient, untidy and potentially distracting. It could even become tangled with the user's arm, for example while changing gear.

I;urthcrmore, theft ol'mobile telephone handsets is an increasing problem, and a handset in an open bag or pocket, or lying on a seat of a vehicle, may be an easy and tempting target for an opportunist thief: It would be beneficial to he able to carry a handset more securely, without compromising its convenience in use.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a device allowing a user to carry a mobile telephone handset connected to a 'handsfree" headset with increased convenience, while obviating the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device adapted to carry a mobile telephone handset comprising holding means adapted to receive a mobile telephone handset, means adapted to mount the holding means removably to a forearm or wrist ol a user, and means to retain the handset within the holding means.

Preltrably, the holding means is apertured to allow passage of cable means from the handset to earphone and/or microphone means remote therefrom.

Advantageously, the holding means comprises pouch or case means having selectably openable closure means to retain the handset therein.

The holding means may comprise substantially transparent panel means adapted to permit viewing of a display screen of the handset.

The holding means may be adapted to allow manipulation of control means of the handset therewithin.

The holding means may be configured to hold a particular make or model of handset.

Pref'erahly, the holding means is mountable to the forearm or wrist by strap means adapted to encircle the forearm or wrist.

Said strap means may comprise resiliently expandable material.

Alternatively, the strap means may comprise means selectably to adjust it to a desired length.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, a device to carry a mobile telephone handset as described in the first aspect above and a mobile telephone handset adapted to be retained therein.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a first carrier embodying the invention strapped to the left forearm of a user; and Figure 2 shows a second carrier embodying the invention strapped to the left t'orearm of the user.

Referring now to the Figures, and to Figure 1 in particular, a first form of carrier I comprises a pouch 2 of leather or a tough, flexible plastics material, dimensioned and shaped to hold a desired model of mobile telephone handset. The pouch 2 has a flap 3 fastenable with a press- stud 4, allowing insertion and removal of the handset. The pouch 2 is attached to a forearm 5 of a user with two clasticated straps 6, each adapted to encircle the forearm 5. An aperture 7 is provided in the pouch 2, through which extends a cable 8, leading from the handset to a conventional hands-free headset (not shown).

The flap 3 may instead be fastened with a zip fastener, a buckle or cooperating patches of hook and loop fastening material, if preferred. In place of the Masticated straps 6 shown, adjustable straps fastening with buckles, catches or co-operating patches of hook and loop fastening material may be used, as may a tube of cloth tailored to fit closely around the forearm. The pouch 2 may also be mounted directly to a sleeve of a garment, temporarily or permanently.

In an alternative form of carrier 9, shown in Figure 2, a semi-rigid case 10 is provided to hold the handset. A clear panel 1 1 is provided, through which a display screen of the handset may be viewed, for example to read int'ormation displayed thereon concerning a caller's identity.

The opening and closing arrangements of the case 10 are omitted for clarity. The alternative carrier 9 shown has a single strap 12 extending around the forearm 5, which is elasticated or adjustably fastened as described for the straps of the first carrier 1. The case 10 also has an aperture 7 through which the cable 8 may pass.

Other carriers (not shown) may be provided with flexible panels or apertures (open or seleclably covetable) allowing operation of some or all of the buttons and other controls of the handset, although this may not be necessary as technologies such as voice activation are adopted more widely.

A carrier 1, 9 may be worn over a sleeve of the user's garments, on a bare forearm or even hidden beneath a sufficiently voluminous sleeve. Surfaces which will contact the user's skin may be padded and/or lined for comfort.

With the carrier 1, 9 in place on the lower forearm 5, it is unlikely to obstruct most activities of the user. It may be worn on the dorsal or volar aspects of the right or left forearm, as is most convenient for a particular user. In particular, a carrier 1, 9 worn thus should allow unrestricted use of both hands while driving, even when changing gear.

The cabin 8 can easily be led up the arm to the headset, optionally being clipped to the user's clothing partway along its length. Since the separation of the headset and handset will lie within a predictable range, a cable 8 length can be chosen that will minimise the amount of slack when in use.

The handset may thus be carried conveniently for use without interfering with other activities. It may be kept concealed for maximum security, or may be displayed, suitably decorated if desired, perhaps as a form of "fashion statement".

Claims

1. A device to carry a mobile telephone handset comprising holding means adapted to receive a mobile telephone handset, means adapted to mount the holding means removably to a forearm or wrist of a user, and means to retain the handset within the holding means

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding means is apertured to allow passage of cable means from the handset to earphone and/or microphone means remote therefrom.

3. A device as claimed in either claim I or claim 2, wherein the holding means comprises pouch means having selectably openable closure means to retain the handset therein.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means comprises substantially transparent panel means adapted to permit viewing of a display screen of the handset.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means is adapted to allow manipulation of control means of the handset therewithin.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means is mountable to the forearm or wrist by strap means adapted to encircle the forearm or wrist.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the strap means comprises resiliently expandable material.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the strap means comprises means selectably to adjust it to a desired length.

9. A device to carry a mobile telephone handset as described in the first aspect above in combination with a mobile telephone handset retained therein.

10. A device to carry a mobile telephone handset substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.