Compacting grip for handheld devices

Abstract

An apparatus for gripping a handheld device is provided. The apparatus includes a base for affixing the apparatus to a first surface of the handheld device; at least one extension extending from the base at a first end of the extension; and a grip extending from the at least one extension at a second end of the extension, wherein the grip is oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the handheld device, wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive a portion of at least one finger inserted between the grip and the handheld device, wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive a portion of each of two fingers inserted between the grip and the handheld device at opposite sides of the at least one extension, and wherein the grip is movable into at least one angled position where one end of the grip is pointed towards the base while an opposite end of the grip is pointed away from the base.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A compacting grip apparatus for a handheld device of a user, the apparatus comprising:
 an extension portion comprising a plurality of sections, the sections having respective cross-sections sized sequentially along the extension portion, the extension portion having a first end and an opposing second end with the sections disposed therebetween, the extension movable between a collapsed, closed position and an extended, open position;   a base comprising:
 a plate-like outside face, and 
 an inside portion connected to the first end of the extension portion; 
   atop comprising:
 an inside portion connected to the second end of the extension portion, and an outside face facing away from the outside face of the base; 
   wherein the extension portion is movable away from the base in a path substantially perpendicular to the base; and   wherein the extension portion is adapted, when in the open position, to receive portions of two fingers of a user inserted on opposite sides of the extension portion between the base and the top.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the extension portion is a single piece. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the extension portion is a series of pieces. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the extension portion provides a force for pushing the sections in a direction away from the base. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the base is affixable to a recess in the handheld device such that the outside face of the base is either recessed in or substantially coplanar with a surface of the handheld device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the extension portion includes at least one contoured surface positionable to face towards the inside portion of the base adapted to receive the portions of the two fingers. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4  positionable to support the handheld device resting on a surface in a viewing orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  positionable to support the handheld device resting Amendment on the surface in each of a landscape viewing orientation and a portrait viewing orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the base is a circle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the top is a circle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the extension portion, the base and the top are a single piece. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the outside face of the top is plate-like or dome-like. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the extension portion consists of three sections. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising an adhesive affixed to the outside face of the base. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the handheld device is a case for a device containing a display screen. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the outside face of the base is affixed to a case for a device containing a display screen. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the outside face of the top bears a logo. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 4  configured so that the top must be rotated with respect to the base before the extension portion is movable away from the base. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 4  configured so that the top need not be rotated with respect to the base before the extension portion is movable away from the base. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 4  configured so that the extension portion is locked in the closed position upon rotating the top with respect to the base when the extension portion is in the closed position.