Mobile device elastomeric support strap with visibly identifiable expandable logo imprints

Abstract

A flexible, stretchable, and adjustable strap that is designed to be used with most commercially available smartphone cases to assist the user in holding and using their smartphone is provided. This strap is easily installed on and removed from such cases in minutes, without adhesive, modifications to the case, or any structure permanently attaching the strap to the case, allowing the user to use the same strap on a different case or to change straps without the need to purchase a new case. The strap, consisting of a stretchy/elastic material with hook and loop fasteners on each end that enable connection to form a loop through the existing ports on the case, is positioned to lie flat and tight against the back of the case and may be stretched from this resting position to accommodate the user's fingers, hand or other objects to steadily hold the cased smartphone. In addition to the improved functionality provided for smartphone use, the strap is designed so that logos remain visibly identifiable/recognizable and only minimally or not at all deform upon stretching the strap during use and non-use, which provides a new medium for personal expression and unprecedented promotional and advertising value to companies and organizations to connect with their customers or members and to reach potential customers and members by using the strap to identify their name, brand, message or other logo that they seek to promote.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elastomeric strap connectable to a case of a mobile device comprising:
 a strap body having a logo, the logo being printed on the strap body to minimize or eliminate deformation of the logo upon stretch of the strap body so that the logo remains visibly identifiable or recognizable during use and non-use, the strap body having a first end and a second end that is opposite to the first end;   a first fastener connected to the strap body at the first end; and   a second fastener connected to the strap body at the second end, the first fastener mates with the second fastener to form a loop around the case of the mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener mates with the second fastener by hook and loop fasteners and has a first portion of the hook and loop fastener that faces a first direction on a first surface and the second fastener has a second portion of the hook and loop fastener that faces a second direction opposite the first direction on a second surface. 
     
     
         3 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the logo is a first logo and further comprising a second logo, wherein the first logo is on a first side of the strap body and the second logo is on a second side of the strap body opposite the first side and such logos can be the same or different. 
     
     
         4 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap body is made of a material that is a woven elastomeric fabric having a flexible elastic material that stretches in the lengthwise direction and with minimal to no stretch in the latitudinal direction. 
     
     
         5 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap body is made of a material that has elastomeric material having spandex that is double-covered with a non-elastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap body has a portion with a width of up to 1 inch. 
     
     
         7 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap body is made of a fabric where a length of a 10 inch piece of the fabric at rest could expand to an approximate expansion capacity of an additional 6 inches to 8 inches for a total stretched length of approximately 16 inches to 18 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 1 , wherein the strap body is made of a fabric comprising synthetic filament yarns or a fabric that is heat treated and pre-shrunk to retain shape and improve suitability for printing, and wherein the logo is applied to the strap body by dye-sublimation printing. 
     
     
         9 . An elastomeric strap connectable to a case of a mobile device comprising:
 a strap body having a first end and a second end that is opposite to the first end, the strap body being stretchable;   a first fastener connected to strap body at the first end; and   a second fastener connected to strap body at the second end, the first fastener mates with the second fastener to form a loop around the case of the mobile device, the first fastener is connectable with the second fastener in different positions to adjust the tension of the loop around the case of the mobile device.   
     
     
         10 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastener mates with the second fastener by a hook and loop closure system, and wherein the elastomeric strap is free of adhesives affixing it to the case of the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the elastomeric strap is a first elastomeric strap and further comprising a second elastomeric strap, and wherein the first elastomeric strap and the second elastomeric strap are interchangeable on the case of the mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the elastomeric strap connects to the case of the mobile device so that a portion of the strap body is on an outer surface of the case of the mobile device to be accessible for use, wherein the first end of the strap body passes through a first port at or near the top of the case of the mobile device and a second end passes through a second port at the bottom of the case of the mobile device, and wherein the elastomeric strap is configured to allow a user to hold, use and operate the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body has a logo on an outer surface that is visible when the strap body is connected to the case of the mobile device. 
     
     
         14 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body is held in place on the case of the mobile device by tension created by stretching the strap body and fixing such tension in position when the first fastener mates with the second fastener, wherein the strap body is stretchable to place a portion of a hand between the strap body and the case of the mobile device, and wherein the strap body is further stretchable to permit various hand-holding positions selected from the group comprising a whole hand, either hand, one or more fingers, and/or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body has a thickness of between 0.004 inches and 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 14 , wherein the logo is a first logo and further comprising a second logo, wherein the first logo is on a first side of the strap body and the second logo is on a second side of the strap body opposite the first side. 
     
     
         17 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body is made of a material that is a woven elastomeric fabric having a flexible elastic material that stretches in the lengthwise direction and with minimal to no stretch in the latitudinal direction. 
     
     
         18 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body is made of a material that has elastomeric material having spandex that is double-covered with a non-elastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body has a portion with a width of up to 1 inch. 
     
     
         20 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body is made of a fabric where a length of a 10 inch piece of the fabric at rest could expand to an approximate expansion capacity of an additional 6 inches to 8 inches for a total stretched length of approximately 16 inches to 18 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The elastomeric strap of  claim 9 , wherein the strap body is made of a fabric comprising synthetic filament yarns or a fabric that is heat treated and pre-shrunk to retain shape and improve suitability for printing, and wherein the logo is applied to the strap body by dye-sublimation printing.