Handle accessory for a mobile station and method of using the same

• US 6,988,910 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2004
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Gartrell, Andrew Julian
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US10/822,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20050227533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 439/527, 341/176, 341/683
• US Class Current: 439/527
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages by providing a mobile station of the present invention. The mobile station includes a wireless telecommunications signal processing assembly contained within a housing. In addition, the mobile station includes a grip flange that has a peripheral edge extending around the housing so that the housing is contained within the peripheral edge. A body of the grip flange is attached to at least one portion of the housing, allowing the grip flange to be easily gripped by the user for carrying the mobile station. The grip flange may also include an inner edge that defines an opening in which the housing is positioned wherein portions of the inner edge are spaced from the housing to allow the user to grip the flange with a closed grasp. Also, the housing may be positioned so that two opposite portions of the inner edge are spaced from the housing and the portions of the grip flange thereat can be bent towards each other to form an armband or a handbag-style handle.

Claims

1. A grip flange for use with a mobile station having a wireless telecommunications signal processing assembly contained in a housing, said grip flange comprising:

a body having at least one portion configured for attachment to the housing of the mobile station; and

a peripheral edge extending at least partially around the body and having a thickness less than that of the mobile station;

wherein the at least one portion of the body configured for attachment to the housing of the mobile station is capable of being sufficiently secured to the mobile station to allow the mobile station to be carried by gripping the peripheral edge.

2. A grip flange of claim 1, further comprising an inner edge defining an opening positioned within the peripheral edge, wherein the housing is positioned within the opening.

3. A grip flange of claim 2, wherein portions of the inner edge of the grip flange are attached to two opposite surfaces of the housing.

4. A grip flange of claim 3, wherein a pair of opposite portions of the inner edge of the grip flange are spaced from the housing so that the opening defined by the inner edge is divided into two portions separated by the housing.

5. A grip flange of claim 4, wherein the grip flange is constructed of a flexible material allowing the opposite portions of the inner edge spaced from the housing to be bent towards each other.

6. A grip flange of claim 5, wherein the opposite surfaces of the housing each define a seam and wherein the inner edge portions attached to the opposite surfaces of the housing are held within the seam.

7. A grip flange of claim 6, wherein the inner edge and peripheral edge are circular.

8. A grip flange of claim 6, wherein the inner edge and peripheral edge are square.

9. A grip flange of claim 1, wherein the body extends within the peripheral edge.

10. A grip flange of claim 9, wherein the body overlies a surface of the housing.

11. A grip flange of claim 10, wherein the body is constructed of a membranous material.

12. A grip flange of claim 11, wherein the membranous material is capable of transmitting sound.

13. A method of accessorizing a mobile station, said method comprising:

providing a grip flange having a peripheral edge extending at least partially around a body and having a thickness less than that of the mobile station;

positioning a housing containing a wireless telecommunications signal processing assembly within the peripheral edge; and

attaching at least one portion of the body to the housing.

14. A method of claim 13, wherein positioning the housing includes positioning the housing within an opening defined by an inner edge of the grip flange.

15. A method of claim 14, wherein attaching the grip flange to the housing includes attaching portions of the inner edge of the grip flange to two opposite surfaces of the housing.

16. A method of claim 15, wherein positioning the housing includes positioning the housing within the opening so that two opposite portions of the inner edge are spaced from the housing and the opening is divided by the housing into two portions.

17. A method of claim 16, further comprising bending the opposite portions of the inner edge of the grip flange towards each other after attaching the grip flange.

18. A method of claim 17, further comprising sliding an appendage through the two portions of the opening defined between the housing and the grip flange after bending the opposite portions of the inner edge towards each other.

19. A method of claim 17, further comprising gripping the opposite portions of the inner edge in a single hand after bending the opposite portions towards each other.

20. A method of claim 13, wherein attaching the portion of the flange includes separating two components of the housing, inserting the portion of the flange between the components and reattaching the components with the portion of the flange therebetween.

21. A method of claim 13, wherein positioning the housing further includes positioning a surface of the housing against the body of the grip flange which extends within the peripheral edge.