Device holder with magnetic retainer

• US 8,317,067 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Lewis
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Lewis
• Inventors: Lewis, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse, Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): THEIS, MATTHEW T
• Application Number:
  US12/588,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20110079619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 224/183, 224/930, 224/929, 224/584, 224/191, 224/663, 224/668, 224/669, 224/678, 224/679, 224/271, 224/272, 206/320, 206/305, 206/350, 206/818
• US Class Current: 224/183
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/022 within pockets

Abstract

The device holder with magnetic retainer is a holder that removably attaches to a garment by magnetic attraction. The holder typically holds a portable electronic device and includes a frame having a recess that receives the portable electronic device therein. The back portion of the frame retains a first magnetic member. A second magnetic member is designed to be positioned underneath a garment, such as a back of a shirt sleeve, so that a portion of the garment is positioned between the first and second magnetic members to attach the device to the garment. Front and rear peripheral edges of the device holder form a cord receiving channel that excess cord of the electronic device can be wrapped around, thereby facilitating neat storage of the excess cord.

Claims

1. A device holder, comprising:

a device-receiving frame having a recess adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device, the frame having a resilient tongue integrally formed therein, the tongue being bendable in an arc extending rearward;

a planar ferromagnetic metal plate having a resilient tongue integrally formed therein, for engaging the receiving frame tongue;

a first elongate magnetic member;

a hollow elongate backing frame having a rear face defining a recess, the backing frame being attached to a rear portion of the device receiving frame, the ferromagnetic plate being sandwiched between the device receiving frame and the backing frame, the first elongate magnetic member being magnetically attachable to the ferromagnetic plate and seated in the recess when magnetically attached;

a cord receiving channel defined between opposing edges of the device-receiving frame and the backing frame, the channel extending about the periphery of the frames and being adapted for receiving excess cord of the portable electronic device; and

a second elongate magnetic member magnetically attachable to the first elongate magnetic member;

whereby the holder is magnetically attachable to a garment when the second magnetic member is placed beneath the garment and the first magnetic member is aligned therewith.

2. The device holder according to claim 1, wherein:

said device-receiving frame has a bottom portion having laterally opposed cord retention slots defined therein for routing a cord of the portable electronic device through and into the cord channel; and

said backing frame has a plurality of cord exit slots defined therein for exiting a portion of the cord from the cord channel.

3. The device holder according to claim 2, further comprising first, second and third device retaining tabs disposed on said device-receiving frame to secure the portable electronic device, the third device retaining tab having a living spring hinge.

4. The device holder according to claim 1, wherein said first magnetic member has a plurality of magnets and said second magnetic member has a plurality of magnets.

5. The device holder according to claim 1, wherein said backing frame has retaining slots defined therein and said device-receiving frame has corresponding resilient tabs aligned with the retaining slots to removably and securely attach said device-receiving frame to said backing frame.

6. The device holder according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of slots defined in the first magnetic member adapted for accommodating a strap for attaching the device holder to a user.

7. A device holder, comprising:

a device-receiving frame having a recess adapted for receiving therein a portable electronic device the frame having a resilient tongue integrally formed therein, the tongue being bendable in an are extending rearward;

a planar ferromagnetic metal plate having a resilient tongue integrally formed therein, for engaging the receiving frame tongue;

a first elongate magnetic member;

a hollow elongate backing frame having a rear face defining a recess, the backing frame being attached to a rear portion of the device receiving frame, the ferromagnetic plate being securely held between the device receiving frame and the backing frame, the first elongate magnetic member being magnetically attachable to the ferromagnetic plate and seated in the recess when magnetically attached; and

a second elongate magnetic member magnetically attachable to the first elongate magnetic member;

whereby the holder is magnetically attachable to a garment when the second magnetic member is placed beneath the garment and the first magnetic member is aligned therewith.

8. The device holder according to claim 7, wherein:

said device-receiving frame has a bottom portion having laterally opposed cord retention slots defined therein for routing a cord of the portable electronic device through and into the cord channel; and

said backing frame has a plurality of cord exit slots defined therein for exiting a portion of the cord from the cord channel.

9. The device holder according to claim 8, further comprising first, second and third device retaining tabs disposed on said device-receiving frame to secure the portable electronic device, the third device retaining tab having a living spring hinge.

10. The device holder according to claim 7, wherein said first magnetic member has a plurality of magnets and said second magnetic member has a plurality of magnets.

11. The device holder according to claim 7, wherein said backing frame has retaining slots defined therein and said device-receiving frame has corresponding resilient tabs aligned with the retaining slots to removably and securely attach said device-receiving frame to said backing frame.

12. The device holder according to claim 7, further comprising:

a plurality of slots defined in the first magnetic member adapted for accommodating a strap for attaching the device holder to a user.