Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – Article held by receiver
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-01-23
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
Article held by receiver
C224S269000, C224S666000, C224S678000, C224S930000, C379S446000, C379S455000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176401
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a holster for a portable communication device.
BACKGROUND ART
Portable communication devices such as cellphones or pagers are commonly used to allow people to be readily contactable. For instance, when considering a pager, the pager alerts a user when a selective call message addressed to the pager has been received, and, if the pager utilises an output device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), the user may read the message. Because the user may desire to carry a pager during certain times of the day, the pager may be permanently attached to a belt clip. This clip allows the user to secure the pager to an article of clothing such as a belt or a pocket. However, if the pager utilises an LCD to present the message to the user, the user may be unable to read the message, due to the typically small size of the LCD, while the pager is secured to his belt. Under such a circumstance, the user might need to remove the pager from his belt to bring the pager LCD into his line of vision in order to read each message received by the pager. Similarly, if the user has a cellphone with an attached belt clip, the cellphone will usually have to be removed from the belt before a telephone conversation can commence.
To circumvent the above problem, belt clips that are permanently attached to portable communication devices may be placed within holsters which incorporate a belt clip which is typically fastened to a belt or other article of clothing. Generally, the user avoids having to unfasten the belt clip from his belt every time he desires to use the portable communication device by simply sliding it from the holster.
Conventional holsters secure the communication within the holsters in a number of ways. Some conventional holsters incorporate a snap fitment to secure the communication device. In contrast, other conventional holsters are designed to provide an interference fit with the inserted communication device, however these holsters are flexible enough so that the pager may be inserted and removed by the user. Still other holsters have a retaining element that surrounds the inserted communication device, this retaining element is deflected by the force of the user inserting or removing the communication device from the holster.
Unfortunately, none of the prior art holsters provide adequate securement or locking of communication devices whilst allowing ease of removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an aim of the invention to overcome or alleviate at least one of the problems associated with prior art holsters for portable communication devices or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a holster for a for portable communication device, the holster comprising:
a housing having interior surfaces for mounting a communication device;
a garment attachment clip on said housing;
a biased latch movably coupled to said housing, said latch having a locking position bias, and said latch having a locking member, an ejector member and an ejector actuator member,
wherein said locking member and at least one of said interior surfaces co-act to lock said portable communication device in said housing, and
wherein actuation of said ejector actuator member against said bias provides for unlocking of said portable communication device and at least partial ejection thereof from said housing , said ejection resulting from said ejector member providing a force on a surface of said communication device.
Preferably, said locking member and at the least one of said interior surfaces may sandwich said portable communication device in said housing.
The least one of said interior surfaces may each suitably have an internal corner portions to lock said portable communication device in said housing.
Preferably, said locking member and said ejector member may co-act to grip said communication device.
Suitably, said locking member may have a protrusion for engaging a said portable communication device.
The biased latch may have a fulcrum portion to assist in unlocking of said portable communication device.
Preferably, said latch may be integrally moulded with said housing.
Suitably, said actuation member may be actuatable in a direction towards said at least one of said interior surfaces that co-act with said locking member.
Preferably, there may be at least one movement restrictor for limiting movement of said biased latch.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 369359 (1996-04-01), Wright et al.
patent: D. 389641 (1998-01-01), McCutcheon et al.
patent: D. 406191 (1999-03-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 4299344 (1981-11-01), Yamashita et al.
patent: 5253292 (1993-10-01), Fluder et al.
patent: 5988577 (1999-11-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5995622 (1999-11-01), Roussy et al.
patent: 6029871 (2000-02-01), Park
Cronin Stephen K.
Macnak Philip P.
Motorola Inc.
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