Accessory for hands-free use of a mobile communicator

• US 20060131468A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Roncarelli
• Original Assignee: Robert Roncarelli
• Inventors: Roncarelli, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/291,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131468A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/300
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use

Abstract

An accessory for a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone having a mouthpiece and speaker, to enable hands-free operation. The accessory comprises a bracket configured to receive and retain a mobile communication device, and an ear loop mounted to the bracket, such that when a mobile communication device is retained in the bracket, the mobile communication device may be held in operating proximity of a user'"'"'s ear and mouth by placing the ear loop over the user'"'"'s ear. The ear loop may be rotatable between a deployed and retracted position. In use, the ear loop is hooked over the user'"'"'s ear, holding the communication device within operating proximity of the user such that the user can carry on a conversation using the communication device without using his or her hands to hold the device in place.

Claims

1. An accessory for a mobile communication device having a mouthpiece and speaker, the accessory comprising:

a bracket configured to receive and retain a mobile communication device;

an ear loop mounted to the bracket;

such that when a mobile communication device is retained in the bracket, the mobile communication device may be held in operating proximity of a user'"'"'s ear and mouth by placing the ear loop over the user'"'"'s ear.

2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the ear loop is rotatably mounted to the bracket such that it can be moved between a retracted and a deployed position.

3. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the ear loop is doglegged to fit around the user'"'"'s ear.

4. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises a crosspiece and flanges disposed at either end of the crosspiece, such that the mobile communication device may be snap-fit into and retained by the bracket.

5. The accessory of claim 4 wherein at least one interior surface of the bracket is lined with a rubber or texturized material.

6. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises two cooperating members in sliding engagement to each other so as to be adjustable to fit the width of a mobile communication device.

7. The accessory of claim 6 wherein a first of the cooperating members is provided with serrations, and a second of the cooperating members is provided with a pawl, the serrations and the pawl cooperating to positively retain a mobile communication device within the bracket.

8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a cage for retaining the mobile communication device, the cage comprising at least four walls for retaining a mobile communication device within the bracket.

9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein at least one of the four walls comprises a flange for retaining a mobile communication device in the bracket.

10. The accessory of claim 8, wherein at least one of the four walls comprises a flexible, transparent layer through which the keypad of a mobile communication device is accessible when the mobile communication device is disposed within the cage.