Telephonic communications – Terminal accessory or auxiliary equipment – Telephone receiver support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-17
2001-03-20
Chiang, Jack (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Terminal accessory or auxiliary equipment
Telephone receiver support
C379S455000, C379S454000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205222
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to devices for attaching electronic devices to persons and objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable telecommunications devices, such as radiotelephones (e.g., cellular telephones), have become increasingly popular for both personal and commercial use. With their increase in popularity, radiotelephones have also been undergoing miniaturization to facilitate storage and portability. Indeed, some contemporary radiotelephone models are only 11-12 centimeters in length. As a result of the decreasing size of radiotelephones, spring-loaded clips have been employed to attach radiotelephones to the clothing of users.
Increasingly, radiotelephone users want to attach their radiotelephones to various objects, including belts, pockets, waistbands of pants and skirts, purse straps, notebooks, and the like. A high clamping force is desired to ensure that radiotelephones clamped to such objects cannot become easily unattached therefrom.
Unfortunately, the clamping force of conventional spring-loaded clips may be inadequate to prevent radiotelephones from being accidentally dislodged and thereby damaged as a result of being dropped. Conventional spring-loaded clips typically utilize a “clothes pin”-style design. In order to overcome the spring force when removing or securing a clip of this type to a belt or other article of clothing, a user squeezes a pair of finger pads that act as levers that open the clip. The force that a user can comfortably exert between his/her thumb and forefinger in order to squeeze these finger pads in order to overcome the spring force can be somewhat limited. As a result, to facilitate user operation, springs with inadequate force to securely attach a radiotelephone to an object are often utilized.
Supporting clips can add to the cost of radiotelephone manufacture. In addition, supporting clips can be somewhat bulky and obtrusive and thereby hinder miniaturization efforts. Accordingly, there is a need for an attachment device that can securely attach a radiotelephone to various objects, yet be easily manipulated by users. Furthermore, there is a need for an attachment device that is cost-effective to manufacture and that does not impede miniaturization.
Increasingly, handheld radiotelephones are being equipped with features once reserved for desktop telephones. For example, radiotelephones are being equipped with speaker phone features that allow “hands-free” operation. Accordingly, there is a need to support radiotelephones on a desktop or other surface to facilitate hands-free operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide devices for attaching handheld radiotelephones and other portable electronic devices to various objects that can be easily manipulated by users yet have sufficient force to resist accidental detachment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide devices that can support radiotelephones for hands-free operation.
It is another object of the present invention to facilitate reduction in costs associated with radiotelephone manufacturing.
These and other objects of the present invention are provided by a clamping device with increased clamping force for firmly attaching an electronic device to various objects, wherein the electronic device to which the clamping device is utilized can be used as a lever for disengaging the clamping device from an object. A clamping device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a base, such as an electronic device housing, and a clip hinged to the base. The clip is pivotable, relative to the base, along a path of rotation between a closed position and an open position.
In a closed position, the clip is in overlying, adjacent relationship with the base. In an open position, the clip is disposed at an angle relative to the base. An extension spring, such as an elastic member, includes opposite ends that are secured to the base and clip, respectively. The extension spring is configured to continuously urge the clip towards the closed position when the clip is positioned between an intermediate point along the path of rotation and the closed position, and to continuously urge the clip towards the open position when the clip is positioned between the intermediate point and the open position. When in the open position, the clip can support an electronic device on a surface to facilitate hands-free operation.
To remove the clamping device from an article of clothing or other object, a user rotates the electronic device with which the clamping device is utilized away from the user's body or the object using the length of the electronic device as a lever arm. By using the electronic device in this manner, a user can obtain a mechanical advantage sufficient to overcome the force of the extension spring. Accordingly, higher spring forces can be utilized with the present invention as compared with conventional attachment devices.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a clamping device may include an extension spring that is integrally formed with a clip. Furthermore, an extension spring may include a surface with raised portions formed therein that are configured to frictionally engage an object to which the clamping device is attached.
The present invention is advantageous because clamping devices with strong clamping forces can be utilized to secure electronic devices to clothing or to various objects. In addition, a clamping device according to the present invention may also be utilized to facilitate hands-free operation of an electronic device. By integrally forming an extension spring with a clip, according to another embodiment of the present invention, time and costs associated with the manufacturing of electronic devices, such as radiotelephones, may be reduced.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5253292 (1993-10-01), Fluder et al.
patent: 5475752 (1995-12-01), Mischenko
Chiang Jack
Ericsson Inc.
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
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