Apparatus for cleaning view screens and lenses and method for the use thereof

• US 10,259,019 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2017
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GUI Global Products, Ltd. (GUI Global Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: GUI Global Products, Ltd. (GUI Global Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Mayfield, Walter G., Valdez, Daniel Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Haughton, Anthony M
• Application Number:
  US15/816,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20180093303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901, 36167902
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/08 Cases for telescopes or binoculars
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/38 Camera cases, e.g. of ever-ready type
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 25/00 Domestic cleaning devices not provided for in other groups of this subclass for cleaning spectacles G02C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/12 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/143 Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 11/04 specially adapted for plate glass, e.g. prior to manufacture of windshields cleaning the gap between permanently secured panes E06B3/677
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions

Abstract

A lens and/or a view screen of an electronic device having at least one case can be cleaned by wiping the view screen with a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one case or some other substrate using a magnetic attractive force. The cleaning devices may have secondary applications such as securing fly fishing lures, activating or deactivating a device having a magnetic switch, or preventing sunglasses from sinking. They may also be manufactured without a cleaning component for use with the secondary applications.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a portable switching device for use with a portable electronic device having a view screen, the portable switching device comprising;

a magnet,

a case in which the magnet is fully disposed;

a surface of the case which is of a material nonabrasive to the view screen; and

a tab or knob attached to the case, and

wherein the portable switching device is coupled to the portable electronic device;

the portable switching device is configured to selectively couple to the portable electronic device employing magnetic force from the magnet;

the portable switching device is configured to activate, deactivate or send into hibernation the portable electronic device; and

the tab or knob is configured to be manipulated by an external force.

2. The system of claim 1, the portable switching device further comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of beveled edges, ridges, recessed areas, grooves, slots, indented shapes, bumps, raised shapes, and combinations thereof;

configured to correspond to complimentary surface elements on the portable electronic device.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the portable switching device is a disc.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the portable switching device has a beveled edge and a recessed area complimentary to a protrusion on the portable electronic device.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the portable switching device is applied to the view screen of the portable electronic device.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the portable switching device has a 1st profile and the portable electronic device has a 2nd profile;

and when coupled together, the system has a profile that is less than the sum of the 1st profile and the 2nd profile.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a switch.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the switch is responsive to the presence of the portable switching device.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

cell phone, smart phone, small electronic device with a view screen, gps, tablet, laptop, microphone, recording device, Bluetooth earplugs, weapons scope, binoculars, eyeglasses, laser pointer, remote control, battery, and stylus.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

cell phone, smart phone, gps, and tablet.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the portable electronic device is a cell phone.

12. A process for activating, deactivating, or sending into hibernation a portable electronic device having a view screen comprising applying to the portable electronic device a portable switching device comprising:

a magnet,

a case in which the magnet is fully disposed;

a surface of the case which is of a material nonabrasive to the view screen; and

a tab or knob attached to the case, and

wherein the portable switching device is configured to selectively couple to the portable electronic device employing magnetic force from the magnet;

the portable switching device is configured to activate, deactivate or send into hibernation the portable electronic device; and

the tab or knob is configured to be manipulated by an external force.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein the portable switching device is applied to the view screen.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a switch.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein the switch is responsive to the presence of the portable switching device.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein the tab has a hinge and the tab and hinge is configured to enable the tab to support the portable switching device and the portable electronic device in a position elevated from horizontal.

17. The process of claim 16 wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

cell phone, smart phone, small electronic device with a view screen, gps, tablet, laptop, microphone, recording device, Bluetooth earplugs, weapons scope, binoculars, eyeglasses, laser pointer, remote control, battery, and stylus.

18. The process of claim 17 wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

cell phone, smart phone, gps, and tablet.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein the portable electronic device is a cell phone.