Compacting grip for handheld devices

Abstract

The invention is directed to a compacting grip apparatus for a hand-held touch screen electronic device. The apparatus includes an extension portion comprising an extendable ribbon-shaped structure, the extension portion having a first end and an opposing second end. In some embodiments, the extension expands to an open position and contracts to a closed position. The apparatus includes a hard base that includes a flat outside face and an inside portion fixedly connected to the first end of the extension portion. The apparatus includes a hard top that includes an inside portion fixedly connected to the second end of the extension portion and a flat or plate-like outside face facing away from the outside face of the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : A collapsing and expanding one hand gripping apparatus fastened or built into the back of a hand-held touch screen electronic device or its case consisting essentially of:
 a one hand gripping apparatus fastened or built into the back of a hand-held touch screen electronic device or its case;   a base fastened or built into the back of the hand-held touch screen electronic device or its case; and   an extension extending from the base consisting essentially of an elastic textile ribbon-shaped structure;
 wherein the extension is telescopic and stretchable between a collapsed, closed position and an extended, open position; 
   a grip on the opposite end of the extension from the base;
 wherein the grip is attached or built into the opposite end of the extension; 
 wherein the extension in the extended position is no longer than 3 inches in length from the grip to the base; 
 wherein the grip extends wider than the extension on at least two opposite side; 
 wherein the grip and base are in contact with one another and lie flat and level with one another in the collapsed closed position; 
   wherein the apparatus in the collapsed position lies flat to the hand-held touch screen electronic device.   
     
     
         2 : The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base has one or more recessed grooves, each configured to receive a respective end of the grip, and one or more grooves may be provided on one or more sides of the base in order to support the grip at various angles to the base. 
     
     
         3 : A method using a collapsing and expanding one hand gripping apparatus to the handheld device or handheld device's case, the method comprising of the steps of:
 obtaining a collapsing and expanding one hand gripping apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the one hand gripping apparatus is fastened or built into the back of the hand-held touch screen electronic device or back of hand-held touch screen electronic device case;   receiving two adjacent non-thumb fingers of a gripping hand inserted between hand-held touch screen electronic device and the other end of the apparatus, each received finger straddling the side of the apparatus, wherein the fingerprint side of the fingers facing the hand-held touch screen electronic device and are in contact with the apparatus and/or back of hand-held touch screen electronic device or case of hand-held touch screen electronic device;   wrapping the gripping hand's thumb and portion of palm around to the front of the handheld device; and   removing the fingers of the gripping hand from the apparatus so the apparatus is configured to lie flat to the hand-held touch screen electronic device.