WO2009064268A1

WO2009064268A1 - Adjustable universal cellular phone holster

Info

Publication number: WO2009064268A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/023888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald A. Latz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-13
Filing date: 2007-11-13
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-13

Abstract

The invention is an adjustable universal cellular phone holster. It is adjustable in that it utilizes Velcro technology to fit the holster for any size cellular phone. It is universal in that it utilizes a special pressure bearing clip that enables it to form a secure attachment with both thin (such as seat belts) and thick (such as waist bands/belts) surface materials. The design of this unit will hold all types of mobile communication devices equipped with voice activation, such as cell phones, personal digital assistant (PDA), iPhone or any similar devices, and will not hinder the speaker receiver. The holster unit can be attached to the shoulder strap of a seat belt while a person is in a vehicle to allow for a hands free conversation. Upon exiting the vehicle, the holster unit can be detached from the shoulder strap of the seat belt and then attached to the person's waist band/belt.

Description

Specification

Inventor and Applicant: Ronald A. Latz

14 Regal Drive New Rochelle, NY 10804 Phone 914-636-4177 Fax 914-632-5730

Title of the Invention: Adjustable Universal Cellular Phone Holster

[0001] The invention is an adjustable universal cellular phone holster. "It is adjustable in that it utilizes Velcro technology to fit the holster for any size cellular phone. It is universal in that it utilizes a special pressure bearing clip that enables it to form a secure attachment with both thin (such as seat belts) and thick (such as waist bands/belts) surface materials. The design of this unit will hold all types of mobile communication devices equipped with voice activation, such as cell phones, personal digital assistant (PDA), iPhone or any similar devices, and will not hinder the speaker receiver. The holster unit can be attached to the shoulder strap of a seat belt while a person is in a vehicle to allow for a hands free conversation. Upon exiting the vehicle, the holster unit can be detached from the shoulder strap of the seat belt and then attached to the person's waist band/belt.

[0002] The uniqueness of this invention and its trade secret claim is to utilize the Velcro technology to provide a multi-use flexible holster. These features include the following:

1. The overall design of this holster is adjustable to fit any mobile communication device by utilizing Velcro technology to essentially wrap the holster to the dimensions of such device.

2. The holster is adaptable to many environments, whether it be utilized while in a vehicle as an attachment to the shoulder strap seat belt or removed from the vehicle and attached to a person's waist band/belt.

3. The precision measurement of the clip-on's pressure per square inch allows for it to automatically adjust to any thickness via a small spring located in the clip-on device. Thus the holster can be attached to many surface materials, such as thin car seat belts while in a vehicle and to thick waist bands/belts while away from the vehicle.

4. The front clear plastic of the holster allows consumers to easily access the keypad and to carry on a conversation through the speaker/microphone.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications: None

Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development: None

Reference to Sequence Listing, a Table, or a Computer Program Listing Compact Disc Appendix:

None

Background of the Invention:

[0003] Whereas the driver of a vehicle prefers the mobile communication device he or she uses to be within a close distance to their mouth and ears, but does not like the use of ear plugs, headsets or ear clip-ons, a universal holster that adjusts to the dimensions of any mobile communication device can be clipped-on to the shoulder strap of a vehicle's seat belt and positioned at a relatively close distance to the driver's head, without direct contact with the person's body. The invention pertains to Consumer Accessory Goods as this is an accessory for telecommunication devices. [0004] Families and individuals have more than one mobile communication device, yet there are no universal holders in the marketplace. Each device needs it own custom fit holder if the person wants clip-on the device. This invention allows for the consumer purchase of one Adjustable Universal Cellular Phone Holster as it can be readily resized when the person changes which cell phone he or she decides to carry or use.

[0005] Many state laws mandate hands-free talking on cell phones and similar devices for drivers in vehicles. Bluetooth devices are not affordable to many people. This unit provides an inexpensive alternative to other mechanisms currently used by drivers, such as:

• ear plugs that are difficult to keep in place,

• head sets which are uncomfortable,

• phone holders that attach to dashboards that are not at an optimal clarity distance, and

• clip-on ear phones (which trouble those who are concerned about the potential negative effects related to electromagnetic radiation).

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention is a separate removable unit that can be attached to and removed from the shoulder strap of a seat belt while a person is in a vehicle to allow for a hands-free conversation. Thus, it can be used by a driver in a rental car as well. The design of this unit is adjustable to allow for it to hold all types of mobile communication devices equipped with voice activation, such as cell phones, personal digital assistant (PDA), iPhone or any similar device.

[0007] The advantage of this cell phone holder is that the cell phone will not be in direct contact with the person, yet it will be close enough to the person's head to enable a clear conversation. It still allows for a hands free conversation and it is very convenient without the involvement of an earpiece, headset, or ear clip-on. More over, this invention is designed to universally fit any of the mobile communication devices mentioned above.

[0008] The unit itself will be constructed so that it can be easily attached to an existing shoulder strap of a seat belt in a vehicle, and is removable anytime. Once attached to the strap, it can be moved up or down to the most convenient placement for the user. Because the unit is a holder, its width is adjustable to fit narrow and wide mobile communication devices. It also swivels to the side to allow the user to locate the speaker microphone even closer to his or her mouth.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing

[0009] Mobile communication device dimensions - Figures 1.0. 2.0 and 3.0: Today's mobile communication devices range in width from 4.0 to 6.5 millimeters, in thickness from 1.1 to 2.5 millimeters and in length from 7.9 to 11.2 millimeters.

[0010] Front and back views of holster clipped-on to seat belt - Figures 5.0 and 6.0: This shows the holster clipped-on to the seat belt from the back and from the front with the clear transparent plastic and magnetic leather latch on top.

[0011] Front view of holster in its closed, engaged form - Figures 7.0 and 10.0: This shows the front view with the magnetic leather latch coming over the top with its magnetic north piece and how it adheres to the magnetic south piece on the front. It also shows the location of the transparent plastic covering the front of the mobile communication device, bordered by leather, and the opening for the phone's receiver/speaker. [0012] Outside and Inside views of the holster in an open form - Figures 8.0 and 9.0: This shows the placement of the five main panels, which are two velco strips on either side, elastic in the center and solid leather to the left of the center and clear transparent plastic with a leather border to the right of the center. This also includes a leather underneath piece that is attached to the front transparent plastic section. The outside of the solid leather section contains a Velcro strip at its bottom to which the leather underneath piece will adhere. Refer to Figure 16.0 for a larger drawing truer to form.

[0013] Claim mount views - Figures 11.0. 12.0 and 13.0: This shows the locking mechanism for the claim mount for the clip-on, illustrating the inter-locking joints that allow the clip to be rotated at 45 degree intervals twice to the right and twice to the left, from its upright center position.

[0014] Side flat view of the clip-on - Figure 14.0: This shows the clip attached to the claim mount and the location of the springs bearing the 15 pounds of pressure per square inch and the degree of thickness allowed.

[0015] Bottom of holster - Figures 4.0 and 15.0: This shows the leather material attached to the bottom of the transparent front of the holster. This wraps around the bottom of the device in the holster and attaches by Velcro to the back of the holster. This prevents the device from slipping through.

[0016] Folding Instructions with Inside view of the holster in an open form - Figure 16.0: This shows the order of steps involved to fold the holster around the mobile communication device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] Whereas the driver of a vehicle prefers the mobile communication device he or she uses to be within a close distance to their mouth and ears, but does not like the use of ear plugs, headsets or ear clip-ons, a universal holster that adjusts to the dimensions of any mobile communication device can be dipped-on to the seat belt of a vehicle and positioned at a relatively close distance to the driver's head.

[0018] The invention is made of plastic, metal, rubber, leather, elastic and cloth materials. The holster body, at 21 millimeters long and 7 millimeters high, is adjusted to the thickness and width proportions of the mobile communication device by wrapping the device and holding the desired fit through the use of Velcro technology. When wrapped, the holster forms a pocket to which the mobile communication device can be inserted or removed. The front of the holster wrap, at 6 millimeters long and 7 millimeters high, has a clear transparent plastic opening (with numerous holes), so that the speaker microphone and the number touch pad are not obstructed. The plastic has a leather border. The back of the holster wrap, at 6 millimeters long and 7 millimeters high, is solid leather with an attached swivel clip for attachment to the seat belt. The left side is elastic to allow for the flexibility in holding the mobile communication device in this "one size fits all" holster. The right side is where the Velcro flaps come together. The mobile communication device sits in the custom fit pocket of this holster, with its leather bottom, and can be clipped to a seat belt. The leather bottom wraps around the bottom of the device in the holster and attaches by Velcro to the back of the holster. This prevents the device from slipping through. The clip has a spring mechanism, at 15 pounds pressure per inch, to provide a tight grasp with the seat belt. The clip's rubber handle can be pressed to reduce the spring pressure so that the holster can be moved up or down along the seat belt length to the desired height of the user. The clip attached to the back of the holster has a locking mechanism that will allow for two 45 degree incremental turns to either the right or the left side to allow the user to move the mobile communication device's mouthpiece closer to their head.

[0019] The holster also has a leather strap with a "north" magnetic latch. The leather strap is attached to the top of the back of the holster. The "south" magnet is sewn into the top of the leather border on the front of the holster. While the holster is designed for use in the vehicle, the universal feature enables the user to unclip the holster upon exiting the vehicle and attach the holster to his or her article of clothing or other desired item. In this situation, the leather strap falls over the top of the mobile communication device and magnetically latches to the front providing security in the holster pocket.

Claims

Claims[0020] The invention pertains to Consumer Accessory Goods as this is an accessory for telecommunication devices. The claim objects entered in this document are followed:

1. Whereas, the unique design of this cellular phone holster is applicable to any mobile communication devices that are available in toda/s global marketplace, such as cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and communication handheld devices, which makes this design and product to be considered as an universal holster or one size fits all.

2. Whereas, the unique design of this holster allows consumers the flexibility to tightly secure the holster to a vβhcile seat belt and also carry it on a waist band/belt. This feature is accommodated by 2 small springs mounted on each side of the holster clip device, which produces the flexible and adjustable thickness to the car seat belt or waist belt. Refer to Figure 14.0.

3. Whereas, the unique design and precision cuts of the holster allows for easy access to the keypad as well as without obstruction to the sender and receiver microphone mount, for any communication devices.

4. Whereas, the unique design by utilizing Velcro and elastic technologies which allow consumers the flexibility to adapt to various heights and widths of any personal communication devices available in today's global marketplace. Refer to Figure 16.0.

5. Whereby, this holster invention makes it universally unique to the consumer with multiple devices and eliminates hundreds of different types of communication device holsters from which to select.