PHONE RING HOLDER

• US 20180220782A1
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Published: 08/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case-Mate, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Case-Mate, Inc.
• Inventors: MODY, Saumil Chetan, PHILIP, Nitin Koshy, WARMOTH, III, William Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,555,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 9/0061 Holding articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3861 carried in a hand or on fingers

Abstract

A holder accessory for a portable electronic device including a base portion configured for attachment to the portable electronic device, and a gripping component coupled to the base portion. The gripping portion can define an opening configured to receive a finger of a user to hold the electronic device. The gripping portion is movably coupled to the base portion. The gripping portion is pivotally and/or rotationally movable relative to the base.

Claims

1. A holder accessory for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a base portion configured for attachment to the portable electronic device;

a gripping component movably mounted to the base portion;

wherein the gripping portion is movable between a storage position and a use position.

2. The holder accessory of claim 1, wherein the gripping component is pivotally mounted to the base portion.

3. The holder accessory of claim 1, wherein the gripping component is rotationally mounted to the base portion.

4. The holder accessory of claim 1, wherein the gripping component is ring shaped or includes an opening.

5. The holder accessory of claim 1, further comprising a rail configured to rotate relative to the base portion.

6. The holder accessory of claim 5, wherein the base portion comprises a cap attached to a base plate, wherein the rail is positioned between the cap and the base plate.

7. The holder accessory of claim 6, further comprising a seal positioned between the cap and the rail.

8. The holder accessory of claim 6, further comprising a seal positioned between the base plate and the rail.

9. The holder accessory of claim 8, wherein the seal is formed from a self-lubricating material.

10. The holder accessory of claim 1, further comprising an ornamental element.

11. The holder accessory of claim 5, further comprising an ornamental element attached to the rail.

12. A holder accessory for a portable electronic device, the holder accessory comprising a base portion configured for attachment to the portable electronic device, and a ring portion coupled to the base portion, the ring portion defining an opening configured to receive a finger of a user to hold the electronic device.

13. The holder accessory of claim 12, wherein the ring portion is pivotally mounted to the base portion and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

14. The holder accessory of claim 12, wherein the ring portion is rotationally mounted to the base portion.

15. The holder accessory of claim 12, wherein the base portion comprises a base plate and a cap, which when assembled together form a channel between them.

16. The holder accessory of claim 15, wherein the ring portion comprises a rail, which is rotationally coupled to the channel.

17. The holder accessory of claim 16, wherein the rail further comprises a hinge having a tensioner element.

18. A holder accessory for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a base portion comprising a base plate configured for attachment to the portable electronic device and a cap mounted to the base plate;

a rotating component mounted between the base plate and the cap wherein the rotating component can rotate with respect to the base portion;

a gripping ring pivotally mounted to the rotating component wherein the gripping ring can rotate between a storage position and a use position.

19. A method of modifying a portable electronic device to assist a user in holding the portable electronic device, the method comprising attaching a holder accessory to the portable electronic device, the holder accessory comprising a base portion configured for attachment to the portable electronic device, and a ring portion coupled to the base portion, the ring portion defining an opening configured to receive a finger of a user to hold the electronic device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the holder accessory is attached to a back panel of the portable electronic device.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising installing a case on the portable electronic device, and wherein the holder accessory is attached to a back panel of the case.