Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02535883 2006-02-10
Attorney Docket No.: PAT 57526-1
ERGONOMIC CLIP FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to mobile communication devices. More
particularly,
the invention relates to an ergonomic clip for a mobile communication device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mobile communication device use has been growing in the past few years. Many
individuals are now using devices such as cellular telephones and/or personal
digital
assistants with email capabilities to communicate with other individuals.
Individuals may now
be contacted by others no matter the distance between the individuals.
When the mobile communication device is not in use, individuals may simply
place
the phone in a pocket or purse in order to carry them around. However, some
individuals
attach their mobile communication device to a holster which is clipped to the
individual's belt
for storage. Other mobile communication devices include a clip on the back of
its case so
that an individual may directly attach or clip the mobile communication device
to their belt or
pocket.
In many of the mobile communication devices, where the clip is attached to the
back
of the device, when the individual uses the device, they are required to grip
the entire device
who's circumference is now larger due to the presence of the clip. This is
quite inconvenient
for individuals with small hands and generally requires the individual to use
two hands to
operate the mobile communication device. Furthermore, this may also be quite
cumbersome
for individuals who are experiencing arthritis in their hands and therefore
may have trouble
gripping the mobile communication device.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a novel clip for a mobile communication
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to obviate or mitigate at least one
disadvantage of
previous clips for mobile communication devices.
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In a first aspect, there is provided a clip for a mobile communication device,
comprising an attachment portion securable to said device; and an elongated
portion
configured to extend from said attachment portion and along said device,
generally parallel
thereto; wherein said elongated portion has at least one recess defined in a
device facing
surface thereof, such that said elongated portion is spaced farther from said
device at said
recess than on either distal or proximal areas of said elongated portion
relative to said
recess, said recess thereby providing a space for at least one finger of an
individual.
In a second aspect, there is provided a clip for a mobile communication
device,
comprising an attachment portion hingedly securable to said device; and an
elongated
portion configured to extend from said attachment portion and along said
device, generally
parallel thereto; wherein said elongated portion is manufactured from a
compressible
material such that when a user inserts a finger between said elongated portion
and said
mobile communication device, said finger defines a recess in said elongated
portion such
that said elongated portion is spaced farther from said device at said recess
than on either
distal or proximal areas of said elongated portion relative to said recess.
In yet a further aspect, there is provided a mobile communication assembly,
comprising a mobile communication device and a clip secured thereto, said clip
comprising
an attachment portion securable to said device; and an elongated portion
configured to
extend from said attachment portion and along said device, generally parallel
thereto;
wherein said elongated portion has at least one recess defined in a device
facing surface
thereof, such that said elongated portion is spaced farther from said device
at said recess
than on either distal or proximal areas of said elongated portion relative to
said recess, said
recess thereby providing a space for at least one finger of an individual.
In another aspect, there is provided a mobile communication assembly,
comprising a
mobile communication device and a clip secured thereto, said clip comprising:
an
attachment portion secured to said device; and an elongated portion configured
to extend
from said attachment portion and along said device, generally parallel
thereto; wherein said
elongated portion has at least one recess defined in a device facing surface
thereof, such
that said elongated portion is spaced farther from said device at said recess
than on distal
and proximal areas of said elongated portion relative to said recess and
generally parallel to
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the rear of said device, said recess thereby providing a curved space for
receiving at least
one finger of an individual.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with
reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Figure 1a is a perspective view of a mobile communication device with an
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ergonomic clip in accordance with the invention.
Figure 1 b is a rear view of the mobile communication device and clip of
Figure
1 a.
Figure 1 c is a side view of the mobile communication device and clip of
Figure
1a.
Figure 2a is a perspective view of a mobile communication device with a
second embodiment of an ergonomic clip.
Figure 2b is a rear view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
2a.
Figure 2c is a side view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
2a.
Figure 3a is a perspective view of a mobile communication device with a
third embodiment of an ergonomic clip.
Figure 3b is a rear view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
3a.
Figure 3c is a side view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
3a.
Figure 4a is a perspective view of a mobile communication device with a
fourth embodiment of an ergonomic clip.
Figure 4b is a rear view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
4a.
Figure 4c is a side view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
4a.
Figure 5a is a perspective view of a mobile communication device with a
fifth embodiment of an ergonomic clip.
Figure 5b is a rear view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
5a.
Figure 5c is a side view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
5a.
Figure 6a is a perspective view of a mobile communication device with a
sixth embodiment of an ergonomic clip.
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Figure 6b is a rear view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
6a.
Figure 6c is a side view of the mobile communication device and clip of Figure
6a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Generally, the invention provides an ergonomic clip for a mobile communication
device which enables the device to be set for one-handed use by an individual.
Furthermore,
when in use, the clip grips at least one of the user's fingers against the
back of the device in
order to assist the user in holding or grasping the mobile communication
device.
Turning to Figures 1 a to 1 c, a perspective view, a rear view and a side
view,
respectively, of a first embodiment of an ergonomic clip 10 attached to a
mobile
communication device 12 are provided. The clip 10 comprises an attachment
portion 14,
securable to the device 12, via a fastening means 13, and an elongated portion
16
configured to extend from the attachment portion 14 and along the rear of the
device 12,
generally parallel thereto. The elongated portion 16 has at least one recess
18, or pocket,
defined in a device-facing surface, such that the elongated portion 16 is
spaced farther away
from the device 12 at the recess 18 than at positions of the elongated portion
adjacent the
recess 18. In this embodiment, the clip 10 is preferably manufactured out of
plastic with the
fastening means 13 between the clip 10 and the mobile communication device 12
comprising
a spring so that the clip 10 may move away from the device 12 in order to
engage a user's
finger when the user inserts their finger into the recess 18. The elasticity
of the fastening
means 13 is selected so that the spring is loose enough for the user to insert
their finger
without having to use their second hand to assist in opening the clip 10 but
stiff enough to
apply enough pressure to hold the clip in place when the user is using the
device 12 in order
to provide one-handed use of the mobile communication device and to assist
users in
grasping the device.
The recess 18 provides a space for the user to insert a finger when the user
wishes
to use the device 12. The presence of the recess 18 allows the device 12 to be
configured
for one-handed use since the clip 10 grips the inserted finger against the
back of the device
12. With respect to the recess 18, it will be understood by one skilled in the
art that the
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recess size may be determined by a calculable formula which allows the recess
to receive a
finger of any size without causing discomfort to the user when the clip 10
grips the user's
finger against the back of the mobile communication device 12.
When the mobile communication device 12 is not in use, the clip 10 may be used
to
snap on to the user's belt or pocket for storage.
In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 b, the width of the clip 10
substantially
spans the width of the device 12 in order to provide a larger contact area
between the clip 10
and the user's finger.
Turning to Figures 2a to 2c, a second embodiment of a clip 22 for use with a
mobile
communication device 12 is shown. In this embodiment, the clip 22 comprises a
pair of
elongated portion 24 and 26 which extend downward from an attachment portion
28
attached, via fastening means, to the device 12. The fastening means
preferably include a
spring which allows the clip 22 to be moved from a resting position to a
receiving position
when the user inserts a finger.
Recesses 29, or pockets, positioned in the two elongated portions 24 and 26,
allow a
user to comfortably insert their finger in order to assist the user in
gripping the mobile
communication device 12 when the mobile communication device is in use. When
the user
wishes to use the device 12, the user inserts a finger into the recesses 29,
causing the grip
to open away from the device 12, allowing the clip 22 to grip the user's
finger at two points
(the two recesses 29 in the elongated portions 24 and 26). The presence of
dual recesses
provides further support to the finger while it is held to the device. By
allowing the individual
to easily grip the mobile communication device 12 using one finger, the
individual may then
appreciate one-handed use of the mobile communication device 12 since there is
little
concern that the individual will drop the mobile communication device while
the device is
being used. The user may then use their thumb to type a message on the keypad
of the
mobile communication device or hold the device against their ear.
It will be understood that the pressure placed by the clip 22 on the user's
finger is
strong enough so that the clip 22 is not easily displaced but light enough to
not cause injury
to the individual's finger.
Turning to Figures 3a to 3c, a third embodiment of a clip 30 for use with a
mobile
communication device 12 is shown. In this embodiment, the clip 30 is centrally
located in the
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back of the device 12. The clip 30 comprises an attachment portion 32, which
is attached to
the device 12 via fastening means (preferably hinged), along with an elongated
portion 34.
The elongated portion 34 includes a recess 36 which accepts a user's finger
and grips the
finger against the back of the device to enable the device 12 for one-handed
use. Use of the
recess 36 and the functionality of the clip 30 when the device is in use are
described above
with respect to the embodiments of Figures 1 a to 1 c and 2a to 2c.
Turning to Figures 4a to 4c, a perspective view, a rear view and a side view,
respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a clip 40 in accordance with an aspect
of the
invention are provided. In this embodiment, the clip 40 is attached to the
mobile
communication device 12 via an attachment portion 42 (which itself is
preferably connected
to the device via fastening means such as a spring) from which an elongated
potion 44
extends, generally parallel to the back of the device 12. The elongated
portion 44 of the clip
40 is manufactured from a soft rubber with a hard core allowing the clip to be
manufactured
without a recess and without affecting the comfort the user experiences when
the clip is
gripping the user's finger against the device. Therefore, the user still
experiences a
comfortable grip. The soft, compressive rubber allows for the user's fingers
to be gripped by
the clip without causing pain since the rubber preferably moulds itself
against the contour of
the user's finger. The soft rubber is preferably dynamic so that after the
user's finger is
removed, the clip returns to its original shape. The hard core provides the
necessary shape
to the clip 40 so that it does not become warped.
Turning to Figures 5a to 5c, a fifth embodiment of a clip in accordance with
the
invention is shown. The clip 50 is similar to the embodiment disclosed in
Figures 2a to 2c.
As with the embodiment disclosed in Figures 4a to 4c, the clip 50 is
manufactured out of a
soft rubber with a hard core so that recesses are not required. As before, the
clip 50 is
attached to the device via a hinged fastening means which allows the clip to
be moved from
the resting position to the receiving position.
Turning to Figures 6a to 6c, a sixth embodiment of a clip in accordance with
the
invention is shown. The clip 60 is similar in design to the embodiment
disclosed in Figures
3a to 3c. As with the embodiment disclosed in Figures 4a to 4c, the clip 60 is
manufactured
out of a soft rubber with a hard core so that a recess is not required.
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Attorney Docket No.: PAT 57526-1
It will understood that although the clip has been described as being attached
to the
back of the device, the clip may either be manufactured with the mobile
communication
device or may be an snap-on attachment which may be manufactured separately.
Furthermore, although the device has been described with respect to a pocket
or
recess for receiving one finger, the pocket may be designed to receive
multiple fingers.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be
examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to
the particular
embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention,
which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
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