Belt clip apparatus for portable electronic device

• US 6,786,372 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CLIO Technologies
• Original Assignee: CLIO Technologies
• Inventors: Enkerlin, E. Michael, Lawrence, Ron L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse, Nathan J.
• Application Number:
  US09/948,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 224/196, 224/197, 224/291, 224/272, 224/269, 224/930, 245/731.1, 24/31.1, 455/100
• US Class Current: 224/271
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/026 with a pin having an enlarged head detachably connected to a fastening device, e.g. to a pin receiving slot
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer

Abstract

A belt clip apparatus for releasably holding a portable device on a user'"'"'s apparel has a base member with a latch opening for receiving a lock pin projecting from the portable device, a clip for securing the base member to the wearer'"'"'s apparel, and a latch member movably mounted in the base member for movement between a first position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening. A manually operable actuator linked to the latch member can be actuated by a user to move the latch member between the locked and released positions. The actuator is moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member. A biasing device biases the latch member towards the locked position.

Claims

1. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening and having an upper end which faces upwardly when the holder assembly is attached to a users apparel;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening; and

a manually operable actuator at the upper end of the holder assembly linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder assembly comprises a first, base member, a second, belt clip member hinged to the first member, and a biasing device for biasing the clip member against the first member so as to hold the belt clip apparatus on a wearer'"'"'s clothing or belt with the first member on one side and the second member on the other side of the belt or clothing with a portion of the belt or clothing gripped between the first and second members.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a biasing device for biasing the latch member from the released position back towards the locked position.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder assembly comprises a base member having a front wall in which the latch opening is located, a clip member for securing the base member to a wearer'"'"'s belt or other clothing, and the latch member is rotatably mounted on the base member for movement between the latched and released positions.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base member comprises a housing having a rear wall spaced from the front wall, and the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing between the front and rear walls.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing, latch member and actuator are formed from no more than three separate parts.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1. wherein

the holder assembly comprises a base housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located, and a clip member for securing the base housing to a user'"'"'s apparel, the housing having an actuator opening, and the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing, the actuator comprising an integral portion of the latch member projecting out of the actuator opening and movable in the actuator opening between end positions corresponding to the locked and released positions of the latch member.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein

the latch member has a latch tab which projects across the latch opening to lock the lock pin in the latch opening in the locked position and which is retracted away from the latch opening in the released position.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the latch member has an integral, generally C-shaped spring finger for biasing the latch member towards the locked position, the spring finger having an end secured to the housing.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the latch member has an integral, generally S-shaped spring finger for biasing the latch member towards the locked position, the spring finger having an end secured to the housing.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein

the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about a pivot axis extending transverse to the housing front wall, and the latch opening comprises an elongate slot having opposite ends, the lock pin being located at one end of the slot in the locked position, the latch member having a latch finger projecting transversely across the slot adjacent the lock pin in the locked position.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the housing is made in two parts which are secured together with the latch member movably mounted in a cavity formed between said parts, and the two parts of the housing are of a first plastic material, and the latch member is of a second plastic material different from said first material and having a smooth, sliding relationship with said first material.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the two parts of the housing are sonically welded together.

14. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening; and

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located and a rear wall spaced from the front wall, a clip member for securing the housing to a wearer'"'"'s belt or other clothing, and the latch member rotatably mounted in the housing between the front and rear wall; and

the housing walls are of a first plastic material and the latch member is of a second plastic material different from the first material.

15. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening; and

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located and a rear wall spaced from the front wall, a clip member for securing the housing to a wearer'"'"'s belt or other clothing, and the latch member rotatably mounted in the housing between the front and rear wall;

the housing walls are of a first plastic material and the latch member is of a second plastic material different from the first material; and

the latch member is of a self-lubricating plastic material.

16. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening; and

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located and a rear wall spaced from the front wall, a clip member for securing the housing to a wearer'"'"'s belt or other clothing, and the latch member rotatably mounted in the housing between the front and rear wall;

the housing walls are of a first plastic material and the latch member is of a second plastic material different from the first material; and

the second plastic material has a higher melting point than the first plastic material, and the housing walls are secured together by sonic welding.

17. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening; and

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located and a rear wall spaced from the front wall, a clip member for securing the housing to a wearers belt or other clothing, and the latch member rotatably mounted in the housing between the front and rear wall;

the housing walls are of a first plastic material and the latch member is of a second plastic material different from the first material; and

the latch opening comprises an elongate opening having a larger first end portion, a smaller second end portion of smaller dimensions than the first end portion, and a longitudinal axis which extends in a generally vertical direction when the apparatus is in use, the lock pin having an enlarged end of smaller dimensions than the first end portion of the opening and of larger dimensions than the second end portion, and being retained in the smaller, second end portion of the latch opening when the latch member is in the first, locked position.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the latch member protrudes at least partially across the slot at a location between the first and second end portions in the first, locked position and is retracted away from the slot in the released position.

19. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening; and

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member; and

a biasing device for biasing the latch member from the released position back towards the locked position;

the biasing device comprising a spring integrally formed with the latch member.

20. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening;

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a base housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located, and a clip member for securing the base housing to a users apparel, the housing having an actuator opening, and the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing, the actuator comprising an integral portion of the latch member projecting out of the actuator opening and movable in the actuator opening between end positions corresponding to the locked and released positions of the latch member; and

the housing having spaced side walls and end walls, and the latch member includes an integrally formed spring finger projecting from the latch member towards a side wall, the spring finger being compressed against the side wall in the released position of the latch member, whereby the latch member is biased towards the locked position by the compressed spring finger.

21. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening;

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a base housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located, and a clip member for securing the base housing to a user'"'"'s apparel, the housing having an actuator opening, and the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing, the actuator comprising an integral portion of the latch member projecting out of the actuator opening and movable in the actuator opening between end positions corresponding to the locked and released positions of the latch member;

the latch member being rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about a pivot axis extending transverse to the housing front wall, and the latch opening comprises an elongate slot having opposite ends, the lock pin being located at one end of the slot in the locked position, the latch member having a latch finger projecting transversely across the slot adjacent the lock pin in the locked position; and

the latch finger having an arcuate portion engaging around the lock pin in the locked position, the arcuate portion having an angular width of greater than 180°

.

22. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening;

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a base housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located, and a clip member for securing the base housing to a user'"'"'s apparel, the housing having an actuator opening, and the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing, the actuator comprising a portion of the latch member projecting out of the actuator opening and movable in the actuator opening between end positions corresponding to the locked and released positions of the latch member;

the latch member being rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about a pivot axis extending transverse to the housing front wall, and the latch opening comprises an elongate slot having opposite ends, the lock pin being located at one end of the slot in the locked position, the latch member having a latch finger projecting transversely across the slot adjacent the lock pin in the locked position; and

one wall of the housing having an arcuate slot centered on the pivot axis, and the latch finger having a guide pin extending transversely in a direction parallel to the pivot axis and slidably engaging in said arcuate slot for movement between opposite ends of said slot as said latch member moves between the first, locked position and the released position.

23. A belt clip apparatus, comprising a holder assembly for attachment to a user'"'"'s apparel in a generally vertical orientation, the holder assembly having a latch opening;

an anchor member for securing to a portable device to be suspended vertically from the holder assembly, the anchor member having a lock pin for engagement in the latch opening;

a latch member in the holder assembly movable between a first, latched position locking the lock pin in the latch opening, and a released position permitting the lock pin to be removed from the latch opening;

a manually operable actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the locked and released positions, the actuator being adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal direction transverse to the hanging direction in order to release the latch member;

the holder assembly comprising a base housing having a front wall in which the latch opening is located, and a clip member from securing the base housing to a user'"'"'s approval, the housing having an actuator opening, and the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing, the actuator comprising a portion of the latch member projecting out of the actuator opening and movable in the actuator opening between end positions corresponding to the locked and released positions of the latch member; and

the latch member having an integral, elongate spring finger engaging a portion of the housing to bias the latch member towards the locked position when the latch member is located in the released position.

24. A belt clip apparatus, comprising:

a base housing having a front wall with an elongate latch opening for receiving a lock pin projecting from an object to be releasably secured to the base housing, the latch opening having a first end of predetermined dimensions and a second end of dimensions smaller than said first end;

a clip device for releasably securing the base housing to a wearer'"'"'s apparel with the front wall facing outwardly and the latch opening oriented generally vertically;

a latch member movably mounted in the housing for movement between a first, latched position and a second, released position, the latch member having a latching tab which protrudes at least partially across the latch opening in the latched position at a location between the smaller second end and larger first end, so as to lock the lock pin in the smaller second end, the latching tab being retracted away from the latch opening in the released position;

an actuator linked to the latch member for moving the latch member between the first and second positions, the actuator being movable in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the latch opening; and

the housing having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite sides, the upper end of the housing having a cut-out region with opposite end walls, and a portion of the latch member projecting out of the cut-out region, the projecting portion comprising said actuator and being movable by a user back and forth between the opposite end walls in order to move the latch member between the first and second positions.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the latch member is rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about a pivot axis transverse to the front wall of the housing, the pivot axis being located adjacent the larger end of the latch opening, the latch member having a part circular first end portion centered on said pivot axis, the projecting portion comprising a thickened end region of said part circular portion, and an arcuate indent extending from said first end portion to said latching tab.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said latch member has an integral spring finger extending from the opposite side of said latching tab to said first end portion for engaging a portion of the housing to bias the latch member towards the locked position when the latch member is in said released position.