Attachment for portable electronic devices and methods for using the same

Abstract

An apparatus for portable devices—especially portable electronic devices—and methods for using such apparatus are described. The apparatus is connected to the portable device and is used to attach the portable device (i.e., a cellular phone) to an object (i.e., a belt loop). The apparatus comprises a base mechanism that is connected to the portable device and a hooking mechanism with one part that is connected to the base means and another part that can be attached to the object by a hooking action. The apparatus permits easy and quick attachment (and removal) of the portable device to an object (i.e., the belt) while providing secure retention when not in use. The apparatus can also be used to carry and hold the portable device when it is being used.

1 . An apparatus for attaching a portable device to an object, comprising hooking means attached to the portable device and extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device, the hooking means comprising one end attached to the portable device and one, unattached free end.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hooking means comprises a first portion attached to and extending away from the portable device, a second curved portion, and a third portion extending back toward the first portion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , 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.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the free end of the hooking means can move perpendicular to the plane of said surface.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the free end moves away from the portable device to attach and remove the portable device to the object.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the free end moves toward the portable device to retain the portable device on the object.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hooking means comprises means for extending the portable device away from the object while being attached.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for attaching a portable device to an object, comprising: 
 base means connected to the portable device; and    hooking means attached to the base means, the hooking means being in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the hooking means comprises a first portion attached to and extending away from the portable device, a second curved portion, and a third portion extending back toward the base means.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the base means and the free end of the hooking means are proximate each other.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the free end moves away from the portable device to attach and remove the portable device to the object.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the free end moves toward the portable device to retain the portable device on the object.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for attaching a portable device to an object, comprising: 
 base means connected to the portable device; and    hooking means attached to the base means, the hooking means extending in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane, the free end moving away from the portable device to attach and remove the portable device to the object and moving toward the portable device to retain the portable device on the object.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the hooking means comprises means for extending the portable device away from the object while being attached.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the base means and the free end of the hooking means are located proximate each other.  
   
   
       16 . A system for retaining a portable device to an object, the system containing a mechanism comprising: 
 base means connected to the portable device; and    hooking means attached to the base means, the hooking means being in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the hooking means comprises means for extending the portable device away from the object while being attached.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the base means and the free end of the hooking means are located proximate each other.  
   
   
       19 . A portable device having an attachment for retaining the device to an object, the attachment comprising: 
 base means connected to the portable device; and    hooking means attached to the base means, the hooking means being in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane.    
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the hooking means comprises means for extending the portable device away from the object while being attached.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the base means and the free end of the hooking means are located proximate each other.  
   
   
       22 . A method of making an attachment for retaining a portable device to an object, the method comprising: 
 providing base means for connection to the portable device; and    attaching hooking means to the base means, the hooking means being in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane.    
   
   
       23 . A method for attaching a portable device to an object, the method comprising: 
 providing a portable device;    connecting base means to the portable device;    attaching hooking means to the base means, the hooking means being in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane;    providing an object; and    attaching the portable device to the object using the hooking means.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , including attaching the portable device by moving the free end away from the portable device.  
   
   
       25 . A method for retaining a portable device on an object, the method comprising: 
 providing a portable device;    connecting base means to the portable device;    attaching hooking means to the base means, the hooking means being in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the portable device and containing one end attached to the base means and one, unattached free end that can move perpendicular to said plane;    providing an object; and    retaining the portable device on the object using the hooking means.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the object is the finger of a user of the portable device.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the object is the pocket or belt loop of a user.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , including retaining the portable device by moving the free end toward the portable device.