Mobile electronic communication device and covering for similar devices with ornament attachment mechanism

• US 6,721,545 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smart Skins LLC
• Original Assignee: Wildseed Ltd. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Doi, Sayuri
• Primary Examiner(s): GARY, ERIKA A
• Application Number:
  US09/932,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.3, 455/550.1, 455/557, 455/568, 455/575.1, 379/433.01, 379/433.11, 379/446, 379/452, 379/447, D14/250, D14/251, D14/137, D14/138, D14/140, D14/144
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate

Abstract

A mobile electronics communications device with a housing and an ornament attachment mechanism. The ornament attachment mechanism provides the ability to customize the appearance of the device in a more personal and unique manner. A covering for a mobile electronics communication device with an ornament attachment mechanism provides the ability to customize the appearance of devices that have replaceable coverings in a similar manner. The ornament attachment mechanisms can be realized in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, the housing or body having a hole, a penetrable membrane, an appendage, or an appendage with a ring.

Claims

1. A mobile electronic communication device, comprising:

an electronics unit; and

a housing containing the electronics unit, the housing including an ornamental attachment mechanism which has a primary function of facilitating attachment of an ornament to decorate or adorn the mobile electronic communication device,

wherein the ornamental attachment mechanism comprises a penetrable membrane.

2. The mobile electronic communication device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane has a width of at least three millimeters.

3. The mobile electronic communication device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing.

4. The mobile electronic communication device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is disposed at least in part on an interior surface a hole of the housing.

5. The mobile electronic communication device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane extends outwardly from the housing.

6. The mobile electronic communication device according to claim 5, wherein the membrane extends outwardly from the bottom of the housing.

7. A mobile electronic communication device, comprising:

an electronics unit; and

a housing containing the electronics unit, the housing including an ornamental attachment means primarily for attaching ornaments to decorate or adorn the mobile electronic communication device,

wherein the ornamental attachment means primarily for attaching comprises a penetrable membrane.

8. A cellular telephone, comprising:

an electronics unit; and

a housing containing the electronics unit, the housing including an ornamental attachment mechanism which has a primary function of facilitating attachment of an ornament to decorate or adorn the cellular telephone,

wherein the ornamental attachment mechanism comprises a penetrable membrane.

9. A mobile electronic communication device, comprising:

an electronics unit;

a housing containing the electronics unit; and

an antenna coupled to the electronics unit, wherein the antenna includes an ornamental attachment mechanism which has a primary function of facilitating attachment of an ornament to decorate or adorn the mobile electronic communication device, wherein the ornamental attachment mechanism comprises a section of the antenna having a hole.

10. A mobile electronic communication device, comprising:

an electronics unit;

a housing containing the electronics unit; and

an antenna coupled to the electronics unit, wherein the antenna includes an ornamental attachment mechanism which has a primary function of facilitating attachment of an ornament to decorate or adorn the mobile electronic communication device, wherein the ornamental attachment mechanism comprises an antenna protruding from the bottom of the device, a section of the antenna having a penetrable membrane, and a rigid support surrounding the membrane.

11. A mobile electronic communication device, comprising:

an electronics unit;

a housing containing the electronics unit; and

an antenna coupled to the electronics unit, wherein the antenna includes an ornamental attachment mechanism which has a primary function of facilitating attachment of an ornament to decorate or adorn the mobile electronic communication device, wherein the ornamental attachment mechanism comprises a section of the antenna having a penetrable membrane.

12. A mobile electronic communication device, comprising:

an electronics unit;

a housing containing the electronics unit; and

an antenna coupled to the electronics unit, wherein the antenna includes an ornamental attachment mechanism which has a primary function of facilitating attachment of an ornament to decorate or adorn the mobile electronic communication device, wherein the ornamental attachment mechanism comprises a section of the antenna having an appendage and a ring.