Belt clip and locking fastener for selectively securing an electronic device

• US 20040232180A1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paul Badillo
• Original Assignee: Paul Badillo
• Inventors: Badillo, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/745,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20040232180A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/269
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/026 with a pin having an enlarged head detachably connected to a fastening device, e.g. to a pin receiving slot
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt

Abstract

A combined belt clip and locking fastener is provided which is adapted for selectively securing an electronic device such as a cellular telephone or Personal Digital Assistant to a belt or other object. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a beveled button interconnected to the electronic device that is adapted for removable interconnection to a locking portion of a separable fastener based on a rotational movement.

Claims

1. A fastening system adapted for selectively securing an electronic device, comprising:

a locking portion comprising an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges extending therebetween;

a clip operably interconnected to said locking portion that is adapted to selectively interconnect said fastening system to an object, such as a user'"'"'s belt;

a receiving pocket positioned within said locking portion and comprising at least one outwardly extending lip on a first end with a restricted diameter upper surface;

a button having a lower surface and an upper surface to define a first thickness and a beveled edge extending between said lower surface and said upper surface of said button, wherein said first thickness is reduced; and

wherein said receiving pocket is sized to receive and secure said button in a first position, but said button cannot be withdrawn from said receiving pocket until said beveled edge is positioned substantially adjacent to said outwardly extending lip.

2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein said button further comprises an attachment means which is adapted to interconnect said button to an electronic device to allow said electronic device to be removably interconnected to said locking portion.

3. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein said clip is integrally molded to said upper end of said locking portion.

4. The fastening system of claim 3, wherein said receiving pocket is comprised of a deflectable tab portion interconnected to said locking portion, wherein when said button is pushed against said deflectable tab sufficient spacing is provided to allow said button head to seat in said receiving pocket.

5. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein said fastening system is comprised of one integrally molded plastic member.

6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein when said button is selectively interconnected to said locking portion it is adapted to freely rotate.

7. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein alignment of said beveled edge of said button with said outwardly extending lip requires rotation of said button in said receiving pocket.

8. The fastening system of claim 7, wherein said rotation of said button to facilitate disengagement of said button from said outwardly extending lip is between about 150 and 210 degrees.

9. A carrying device adapted for removably securing an electronic device based on a rotational movement, comprising:

a locking means, integrally interconnected to a clip, said clip adapted for removable interconnection to an object, such as a belt;

a receiving pocket integrally positioned within said locking means and comprising a deflectable tab and an engagement means positioned on an upper portion of said receiving pocket;

a locking button operably sized to fit in said receiving pocket upon insertion in a first direction, wherein said locking button becomes secured by said engagement means, and is removable by rotating said locking button at an angle distinct from said first direction to facilitate release from said receiving pocket; and

a means for interconnecting said locking button to the electronic device.

10. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein said means for interconnecting said locking button to the electronic device comprises an adhesive material.

11. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein said engagement means comprises an upwardly extending lip positioned proximate to said receiving pocket.

12. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein said locking button comprises an upper surface and a lower surface which defines a first thickness, and a beveled edge extending between said upper surface and said lower surface which has a thickness less than said first thickness.

13. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein said receiving pocket is shrouded with a restricted diameter upper portion to prevent said locking button from inadvertent disengagement from said pocket.

14. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein said electronic device comprises at least one of a cellular phone, a radio, a global positioning system and a personal digital assistant.

15. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein said device is comprised of a one piece plastic material.

16. A method for one-handed removal of an electronic device from a carrying system, comprising the steps of:

providing a button adapted for interconnection to the electronic device;

providing a base assembly comprising a clip on a first side which is adapted for removable interconnection to an object, such as a user'"'"'s belt, and a receiving pocket on an opposing side;

providing an engagement means positioned within said receiving pocket that is adapted to retain said button in said receiving pocket when said button is oriented in a first position, and release said button from said engagement means when said button is rotated at least about 30 degrees from said first position;

wherein the electronic device may be selectively secured and removed from said base assembly with one hand based on a rotational movement of said button which is interconnected to said electronic device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said engagement means comprises a receiving pocket with an upwardly extending lip and a reduced diameter cap portion sized to retain said button.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said button comprises a beveled edge which allows movement over said upwardly extending lip when said beveled edge and said upwardly extending lip are aligned.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said engagement means further comprises a deflectable tab that allows said button to be slidingly positioned in said receiving pocket when said deflectable tab is pushed downward in a direction toward said clip.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said button is interconnected to the electronic device with an adhesive.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said carrying system is comprised of a one piece molded plastic.