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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 675,926, filed May 24, 2018. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 675,926, filed May 24, 2018, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE1. Field of the Disclosure[0002]The present disclosure relates to accessories for mobile devices, and particularly smartphones. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an elastomeric support strap with a visibly identifiable / recognizable expandable logo imprint. This support strap is presented with many valuable features: (i) a thin, flexible, elastic, and comfortable structure, (ii) a quick and secure fastening system, (iii) it is adjustable and customizable, (iv) it is convenient and readily accessible for immediate use, (v) it is easy to install and remove, (vi) it improves the user's ability to hold and operate the device, and (vii) it provides a means...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a flexible and adjustable strap that is designed to help people hold and use their smartphones for longer periods of time, comfortably. This strap can be easily installed and removed from existing phone cases without needing to purchase a new one. It allows users to adjust the tension to improve their grip on the phone and provides various hand-holding positions. Additionally, users can print logos on the strap, which remains visibly identifiable and not deformed during use. The technical effects of this strap are improved convenience and comfort while promoting personal expression and brand promotion.

Problems solved by technology

Although smartphones and the cases that are used to protect them are available from numerous manufacturers, across all these devices in the various ways that they are used, there exists a uniform problem common to everyone's use of them.

The problem remains that people need to hold the phone in their hand, keep it steady while reading and interacting with the screen, and secure it from dropping and breaking.

Despite these aids that attempt to help users better hold and operate their smartphones, roughly 33% of people lose or break their smartphone (https: / / www.scripted.com / writing-samples / how-often-do-cellphone-users-accidentally-break-their-devices), with the average iPhone being broken in the first 10 weeks of ownership.

In addition, 60 million smartphones are lost, stolen, or damaged annually.

Furthermore, data recovery from damaged smartphones can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,500 for professional services.

In addition to those smartphone aids mentioned above, there are several items in the prior art that require a smartphone case to be specially made to accommodate the holding apparatus, which restricts the user to only use that case, if they want that type of holding apparatus.

Since smartphones frequently become items of personal expression, with phones and cases in different colors and designs, like jewelry, this type of case prevents the user from using other commercially available smartphone cases and, therefore, restricts their personal expression and preference.

These semi-permanent attachments are claimed to be removable and re-adjustable, but would be inconvenient to do so on a frequent basis, and repeated removal and reinstallation would likely weaken the adhesive's ability to adequately secure the attachment to the smartphone / case, potentially causing accidents and costly breakage.

In addition, other holding apparatuses are available that include handles, wrist straps, elastic materials with hooks that cover or overlap the edges of the phone, bulky plastic telescoping posts and tethered disks or loose loops, but all of them tend to be uncomfortable, cumbersome, inconvenient, aesthetically unattractive, and / or often get in the way of using the phone or inserting and removing it from a person's pocket or bag.

It is now becoming apparent that smartphone use can cause hand pain, especially in the thumb (https: / / www.today.com / health / smartDhone-use-can-lead-hand-pain-t23161), since thumbs drive 75% of all phone interactions, according to a study (https: / / alistapart.com / article / how-we-hold-our-gadgets).

As much as we use them, the fact remains that our use of smartphones is unstable, since many people (49%) use one hand (67% use their right hand) (https: / / alistaart.com / article / how-we-hold-our-gadgets) and mostly in the portrait mode.

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