Combination and support device for securing a handheld object to a user or structure

Abstract

The combination described herein includes a first member and a flexible, elastomeric support for retaining a handheld object. The support includes a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to a portion of the first member and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, each corner segment extending from the central portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A combination, comprising:
 a first member, and   a flexible, elastomeric support for retaining a handheld object, the support including:
 a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to a portion of the first member and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and 
 a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, each corner segment extending from the central portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of corner segments is oriented at an upward inclining angle relative to a horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is selected from a group comprising at least an arm band, a holder for an article other than the handheld object, and a strap adapted for attachment to an external member. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein the article is a liquid-carrying bottle. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein the external member is selected from a group comprising at least a human appendage, gear, clothing, a portion of a piece of exercise equipment, a cylindrically-shaped article or another geometrically-shaped structure. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein, with the support in a disengaged configuration or resting state, each corner segment is curled upward relative to the horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each corner segment further includes an opening through which a corresponding corner of the handheld object is captured. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7 , wherein each corner segment further includes a strap segment adjacent its opening and inclined upward relative to the flat central portion, each strap segment adapted to contact a surface of the handheld object to secure the handheld object to the support once corners of the handheld object are positioned within their corresponding openings to be captured thereby. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld object is selected from a group comprising at least a portable electronic device or other plan-form shaped objects including wallets, credit cards and identification badges. 
     
     
         10 . A combination, comprising:
 an article configured for attachment to another external member, and a flexible, elastomeric support attached to a portion of the article for retaining a handheld object, the support including:
 a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to the article and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and 
 a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, each corner segment extending from the central portion. 
   
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of corner segments is oriented at an upward inclining angle relative to a horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the article is selected from a group comprising at least an arm band, a holder for an article other than the handheld object, and a strap adapted for attachment to an external member. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the external member is selected from a group comprising at least a human appendage, gear, clothing, a portion of a piece of exercise equipment, a cylindrically-shaped article or another geometrically-shaped structure. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein, with the support in a disengaged configuration or resting state, each corner segment is curled upward relative to the horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein each corner segment further includes an opening through which a corresponding corner of the handheld object is captured and a strap segment adjacent its opening and inclined upward relative to the flat central portion, each strap segment adapted to contact a surface of the handheld object to secure the handheld object to the support once corners of the handheld object are positioned within their corresponding openings to be captured thereby. 
     
     
         16 . A combination, comprising:
 a holder for supporting an article therein, and   a flexible, elastomeric support attached to a portion of the holder for retaining a handheld object, the support including:
 a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to a surface portion of the holder and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and 
 a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, each corner segment extending from the central portion. 
   
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of corner segments is oriented at an upward inclining angle relative to a horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein the holder is a bottle holder and the article is a liquid-carrying bottle. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein each corner segment further includes an opening through which a corresponding corner of the handheld object is captured and a strap segment adjacent its opening and inclined upward relative to the flat central portion, each strap segment adapted to contact a surface of the handheld object to secure the handheld object to the support once corners of the handheld object are positioned within their corresponding openings to be captured thereby. 
     
     
         20 . A combination, comprising:
 a strap adapted for attachment to an external member, and   a flexible, elastomeric support attached to a portion of the strap for retaining a handheld object, the support including:
 a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first surface attachable to the strap and an exposed second surface adapted to receive the handheld object thereon, and 
 a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the handheld object, each corner segment extending from the central portion. 
   
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein each of the plurality of corner segments is oriented at an upward inclining angle relative to a horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the external member is selected from a group comprising at least a human appendage, gear, clothing, a portion of a piece of exercise equipment, a cylindrically-shaped article or another geometrically-shaped structure. 
     
     
         23 . A flexible, elastomeric support for holding an object therein, comprising:
 a body including a central, flat elastomeric portion having a first outer surface and a second inner surface adapted to receive the object thereon, and   the body further including a plurality of corner segments adapted to capture respective corners of the object, each corner segment extending from the central flat portion and oriented at an upward inclining angle relative to a horizontal plane of the central portion.   
     
     
         24 . The support of  claim 23 , wherein, with the support in a disengaged configuration or resting state, each corner segment is curled upward relative to the horizontal plane of the central portion. 
     
     
         25 . The support of  claim 23 , wherein each corner segment further includes:
 an opening through which a corresponding corner of the object is captured thereby, and   a strap segment adjacent its opening and inclined upward relative to the flat central portion, each strap segment adapted to contact a portion of a sidewall and a front or rear surface of the object to secure it to its respective corner once the corner is positioned within its corresponding opening.