Grip for a hand held portable device

• US 4,020,527 A
• Filed: 01/02/1976
• Issued: 05/03/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilbur J O'Neill
• Original Assignee: Wilbur J O'Neill
• Inventors: O'Neill, Wilbur J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundrat, Andrew V.
• Application Number:
  US05/646,032
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 16/110 R, 16/125, 16/119, 15/227, 401/8, 401/7, 34/95.2, 235/1 D, 84/453, 84/376, 84/379, 294/25
• US Class Current: 16/430
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0216 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0281 for providing single handed use or left/right hand conversion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb

Abstract

A hand held electronic calculator which includes a grip for attaching the calculator to the hand of the user to make it fully operable with one hand while reducing the danger of damage by dropping. The concept is equally applicable to any hand held device having a keyboard, such as various telephone handsets and to remote control devices wherein the keyboard consists of one or more switches.

Claims

1. In a hand held portable electronic calculator, the improvement comprising:

a. a calculator body member;

b. a hollow finger receiving means on said body member and oriented relative to the keys of the calculator such that the user may insert at least one finger in said receiving means and selectively means on said body member and any one of the keys of said calculator with the thumb of the same hand while the remaining fingers of the same hand support the rear of said calculator body.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

A. said finger receiving means is cylindrical.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

A. said finger receiving means is flexible and collapsible.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

A. said finger receiving means is tubular.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

A. said body member is a molded unit; and

B. said finger receiving means is an integral part of said molded unit.

6. A grip for a hand held portable device having a body member and a keyboard on one side, comprising:

A. a tubular elongated finger receiving means sized to fit the width of said body on the side thereof opposite the side having said keyboard and being of sufficient length and diameter so as to accommodate at least a finger of the user of said device without interfering with the use of such device;

B. attachment means for securing said finger receiving means to said opposite side of said body member at a position whereby the user may insert at least one finger in said receiving means and activate the keys of said device with the thumb of the same hand;

C. said attachment means including an adhesive disposed along a portion of said elongated finger receiving means; and

D. a protective peel off covering member covering said adhesive.

7. In a hand held device having a front keyboard and a rear body portion, the improvement comprising:

A. a hollow finger receiving means on said device and oriented relative to the keyboard such that the user may insert at least one finger in said finger receiving means and selectively activate the keys of said keyboard with the thumb of the same hand while the remaining fingers of the same hand support said rear body portion.