DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES EMPLOYING A LIVING HINGE

• US 20200137906A9
• Filed: 09/22/2017
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GUI Global Products, Ltd. (GUI Global Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: GUI Global Products, Ltd. (GUI Global Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Mayfield, Walter G.
• Application Number:
  US15/713,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20190098782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0073 Attaching means
• CPC Class Codes: A44D 2203/00 Fastening by use of magnets
• 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 11/04 Spectacle cases; Pince-nez cases
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/34 Pencil boxes; Pencil etuis or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/005 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1069 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• 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: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 8/34 Hair-braid holders; Hair-plait holders
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/023 to a fastening element of the garment, e.g. button
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0525 Personal portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0533 Cameras, e.g. reflex, digital, video camera
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0541 Eyeglasses or spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0558 Keys
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0575 Portable tools
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 : Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0263 : Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 : portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0091 : Housing specially adapted for small components for resistors H01C; for capacitors H01G; for integrated circuits H01L23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 : Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges

Abstract

A device incorporating both a magnet and a living hinge may be employed to construct cases to protect electronic devices and to function as a closure for cases and lidded containers. Such cases often can be bent three 360° allowing the cases to be either closed protecting devices therein are closed upon themselves allowing the case to function to secure an electronic device to a substrate such as an article of clothing. The devices of the disclosure can also be used to organize and hold loose items together.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

an electronic component having a slit or loop and

a living hinge formed by a continuous material defining at least two modules separated by the living hinge;

wherein;

the electronic component is attached to the at least two modules; and

a first rare earth magnet located along a first module and a second magnet, rare earth magnet, or a ferromagnetic or a ferrimagnetic substrate located along a second module are configured to attach the electronic device around or to an object, and wherein the electronic component is attached to the continuous material using the slit or loop.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic component is selected from the group consisting of a watch, a clock, a phone, a gps device, a cable, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, a light/reflector, and combinations thereof

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least two modules separated by a living hinge have a first and a second magnet and are configured such that the first and second magnets'"'"' polarity allow the at least two modules separated by a living hinge to wrap around thea target substrate.

7. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein, when attached to a target substrate, the electronic device is configured such that the electronic component may be used hands free.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic component further comprises an attachment point which is a clip.

2. (canceled)

4-5. -5. (canceled)

9. An electronic device comprising:

an electronic component having a slit or loop and

a living hinge formed on by a continuous material defining at least two modules separated by the living hinge;

wherein;

the electronic component is attached to the at least two modules; and

a rare earth magnet located along a first module and a ferromagnetic or a ferrimagnetic substrate located along a second module are configured to attach the electronic device around or to an object, and wherein the electronic component is attached to the continuous material using the slit or loop.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein, when attached to a target substrate, the electronic device is configured such that the electronic component may be used hands free.