Attachment for portable electronic devices and methods for using the same

Abstract

Attachment apparatus for portable devices—especially portable electronic devices—and methods for using such apparatus are described. The attachment apparatus comprises a hooking mechanism and a base mechanism. The attachment apparatus facilitates carrying and using portable electronic devices, as well as allows easy attachment, removal, and retention of the portable device to an object, such as a user of the portable device.

1 . An attachment apparatus for a portable device, comprising: 
 base means; and    hooking means attached to the base means and extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of the  claim 1 , wherein the base means is part of the portable device.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of the  claim 1 , wherein the base means is removably or permanently attached to the portable device.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base means is attached to an intermediary object that is in turn attached to the portable device.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hooking means comprises one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the hooking means comprises a first portion attached to and extending away from the base means, a second curved portion, and a third portion extending back toward the base means.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the third portion extends in a substantially straight line and can stop short of, along side of, overlap, or extend past the position of the base means.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the hooking means is connected to the base means so that the free end can rotate.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the free end can be connected to the base means.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the base means comprises a lowered middle portion and raised edges.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the base means comprises a portion extending toward the free end of the hooking means.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the free end of the hooking means can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.  
   
   
       13 . An attachment apparatus for a handheld portable device, comprising: 
 base means; and    hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the free end of the hooking means can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the hooking means comprises a first portion attached to and extending away from the base means, a second curved portion, and a third portion extending back toward the base means.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the third portion extends in a substantially straight line and can stop short of, along side of, overlap, or extend past the position of the base means.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the hooking means is connected to the base means so that the free end can rotate.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the free end can be connected to the base means.  
   
   
       19 . An attachment apparatus for a wireless telephone, comprising: 
 base means attached to a surface of the wireless telephone; and    hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the wireless telephone, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.    
   
   
       20 . A mechanism for retaining a portable device to an object, the mechanism comprising: 
 base means attached to a surface of the portable device; and    hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.    
   
   
       21 . A portable device, comprising an attachment containing base means attached to a surface of the portable device, and hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the portable device comprises a wireless telephone.  
   
   
       23 . A method of making an attachment for a portable device, the method comprising: 
 providing base means attached to a surface of the portable device; and    providing hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.    
   
   
       24 . A method for attaching a portable device to an object, the method comprising: 
 providing a portable device, comprising an attachment containing base means attached to a surface of the portable device, and hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface;    providing an object; and    attaching the attachment of the portable device to the object.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the portable device is a wireless telephone.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the object is part of the clothing of a person.