THUMB WORN TAP DEVICES AND STORAGE HOLDERS FOR USE WITH HANDHELD ELECTRONICS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tap device, comprising:
- a base having a first surface and an opposite surface and defining at least one opening therethrough;
a nib having at least a tip portion;
a post with a distal end in electrically communicative contact with the tip portion of the nib, and a proximal end in contact with a seat portion, wherein the post extends through the opening in the base and the seat portion contacts the first surface of the base;
a sleeve operably connected to the base so that a user'"'"'s thumb may be inserted therein so as to place a portion of the user'"'"'s thumb in contact with at least a part of the seat portion, wherein the first surface of the base faces the user'"'"'s thumb and the opposite surface of the base is directed away from the user'"'"'s thumb and the nib projects outwardly and away from the opposite surface of the base.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tap device for use when selecting icons or keying data into a touch screen hand-held electronic device includes a base and associated sleeve that is worn around the thumb. A conductive nib projects outwardly from an opposite side of the base at an angle to the axis of the user'"'"'s thumb. A conductive post extends through an opening in the base and links the nib to a conductive seat portion that contacts the user'"'"'s thumb. When not in use, the tap device may be snap-inserted onto an outwardly directed prong of a storage clip. The storage clip may be fastened over the hand-held electronic device.
45 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A tap device, comprising:
-
a base having a first surface and an opposite surface and defining at least one opening therethrough; a nib having at least a tip portion; a post with a distal end in electrically communicative contact with the tip portion of the nib, and a proximal end in contact with a seat portion, wherein the post extends through the opening in the base and the seat portion contacts the first surface of the base; a sleeve operably connected to the base so that a user'"'"'s thumb may be inserted therein so as to place a portion of the user'"'"'s thumb in contact with at least a part of the seat portion, wherein the first surface of the base faces the user'"'"'s thumb and the opposite surface of the base is directed away from the user'"'"'s thumb and the nib projects outwardly and away from the opposite surface of the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A storage clip for one or more tap devices, comprising:
-
a first vertical wall separated from a second vertical wall by a bridging portion, wherein the first vertical wall, second vertical wall and bridging portion together form an inverted J-configuration or triangular configuration when viewed in side elevation; at least one projection or prong or male button projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the first vertical wall, wherein said at least one prong mates with a receiving hole formed in a base of the tap device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification