MAGNETIC WALLET ACCESSORY

Abstract

A mobile electronic device accessory set includes a platform, which has a first side and an opposing second side. The platform includes one or more magnetic elements configured to magnetically attach the platform to a mobile electronic device or case along the first side. The accessory set also includes a wallet integrated with or attached to the second side of the platform, wherein the wallet is configured to hold one or more items associated with a user of the accessory. The set also includes a attachment accessory configured to attach to the wallet, wherein the attachment accessory is configured to be wearable in order to support the accessory set and the mobile electronic device when magnetically attached to the platform.

Description

MAGNETIC WALLET ACCESSORY Cross-reference to related applications This application is a continuation in part of USA Application No. claiming the benefit of USA Application No. 16 / 752,232, filed on January 24, 2020, which in turn is a continuation of USA Application No. 16 / 225,914, filed on December 19, 2018, which claims the benefit of USA Provisional Application No. 62 / 737,444, filed on September 27, 2018, and USA Provisional Application No. 62 / 614,829, filed on January 8, 2018, the full descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 63 / 091,298, filed on October 13, 2020. Field of invention This description refers to accessories for mobile electronic devices, in particular an accessory that includes a wallet that can be removably attached to a mobile electronic device or a case for the mobile electronic device. Background of the invention U.S. Patent No. 8,560,031 describes extendable support accessories, consisting of accordion-like support structures with buttons attached at their distal ends, for attachment to mobile electronic devices or cases for mobile electronic devices. When attached, the extendable support accessories can be used to hold the mobile electronic device (and / or case), as a stand for the mobile electronic device (and / or case), and to manage cables associated with the electronic device. However, there is a need in the technology for an accessory set that integrates the functionality of a wallet and a gripping accessory that facilitates one-handed use, but without the need to be permanently or semi-permanently attached to a mobile electronic device. Brief description of the invention The description refers to an accessory assembly for a mobile electronic device that includes a platform having a first side and a second, opposing side. The platform includes one or more magnetic elements configured to magnetically attach the platform to a mobile electronic device or case along the first side. The accessory assembly also includes a wallet integrated with or attached to the second side of the platform, where the wallet is configured to hold one or more items associated with a user of the accessory. The assembly also includes a mounting accessory configured to attach to the wallet, where the mounting accessory is configured to be portable in order to support the accessory assembly and the mobile electronic device when magnetically attached to the platform. Qnrbnn / P7n7 / B / Yi Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a wallet accessory for a mobile electronic device constructed according to the teachings of the present description, with an accessory platform attached to the mobile electronic device and an accessory wallet removed from the platform; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wallet attachment attached to the platform; Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1, but shows the wallet removed from the platform to charge the mobile electronic device using a wireless charging device; Figure 4 is a perspective view of another example of an accessory for a mobile electronic device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present description; Figure 5 is a top view of another example of an accessory for a mobile electronic device constructed according to the teachings of the present description, with an accessory wallet removed from an accessory platform; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the accessory in Figure 5, but with the wallet attached to the platform; Figure 7 describes one aspect of the present description in which the wallet can be attached to an electronic mobile device by means of a magnetic coupling; Figures 8A and 8B represent another example of a wallet configured to be attached to an electronic mobile device by means of a magnetic coupling; and Figures 9A and 9B represent another example of a wallet configured to be attached to an electronic mobile device by means of a magnetic coupling. Detailed description of the exemplary modalities This description refers to accessories for mobile electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablet computers, e-readers, digital media players, cameras, and other mobile electronic devices). The accessories described herein generally include a wallet that can be detachably attached to a mobile electronic device or a case for the mobile electronic device. The wallet is configured to securely hold one or more items (e.g., credit cards, identification cards, business cards, photos, cash, keys, or similar items) associated with (e.g., owned by) a user of the accessory (in many cases, the user will also use the mobile electronic device).Therefore, when the wallet is attached to the mobile device or its corresponding case, the user can securely and easily store and carry these items along with their mobile device. At the same time, the wallet can be removed from the mobile device (or case) when desired (for example, to reduce the device's profile to allow for wireless charging). Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of an accessory set 100 constructed according to the present description. The accessory set 100 in this example includes a platform 104 and a wallet 106 that can be removably attached to the platform 104 and is generally configured to securely hold one or more items for a user of the accessory set 100. In other examples, the accessory set 100 may include additional and / or different components. In Figures 1 to 3, platform 104 is shown as removably attached to a mobile electronic device in the form of a mobile electronic device 108. Platform 104 is removably attached to a rear surface 110 of the mobile electronic device 108 by means of a safety element (not shown). The safety element preferably takes the form of a magnetic attachment so that it securely attaches platform 104 to the mobile electronic device 108, but also allows platform 104 to be removed and repositioned or replaced if necessary. In other examples, however, platform 104 may be removably attached to a case for mobile electronic device 108 or a different mobile electronic device. In other examples, platform 104 may be permanently attached to or integrally formed with mobile electronic device 108, or it may be permanently attached to or integrally formed with a case for a mobile electronic device. When platform 104 is permanently attached to or integrally formed with a case, accessory 100 may be considered to include the case as well. As best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the platform 104 in this example is an oval-shaped structure having the first surface described above (but not shown) and a second surface 116 positioned in front of the first surface. It will be observed that the second surface 116 moves away from the mobile electronic device 108 when the platform 104 is attached to the mobile electronic device 108. In other examples, however, the platform 104 may have a different shape and / or size. For example, the platform 104 may be rectangular, triangular, circular, hexagonal, octagonal, irregular, or another shape. As illustrated, the wallet 106 in this example generally includes a first panel 120, a second panel 124 opposite the first panel 120, and an elastic element 128 that is attached to the first and second panels 120, 124 to define one or more storage compartments to hold one or more objects (e.g., credit cards 130, 132, 134). In this example, the elastic element 128 is positioned between and fixedly attached to the first panel 120 and the second panel 124, thereby connecting the first and second panels 120,124 but also defining two storage compartments 129 to hold one or more objects, as illustrated in Figure 3. In other examples, the elastic element 128 may only be positioned between and fixedly attached to, and positioned between the edges of the first and second panels 120, 124, thereby connecting the first and second panels 120, 124, but only defining a single storage compartment. The first panel 120 is preferably made of a rigid material (e.g., a hard plastic), although it may be made of a semi-rigid or flexible material. The first panel 120 includes a recess 138 that is only partially formed through the first panel, as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The recess 138 is generally shaped to fit the shape of the platform 104, so that it is configured to receive and removably retain the platform 104. Therefore, in this example, the recess 138 is U-shaped and sized to receive and removably retain the oval-shaped platform 104. In other examples, for instance, when the platform 104 is of a different size and / or shape, the recess 138 may be of a different size and / or shape to fit this differently sized and / or shaped platform.The first panel 120 also includes a cutout 140 that allows the user to guide objects into or out of one or both storage compartments 129. Like the first panel 120, the second panel is preferably made of a rigid material (e.g., hard plastic), although it can also be made of a semi-rigid or flexible material. The second panel 124 also includes a cutout 142 (which is identical to cutout 140), but the second panel 124 is solid, i.e., it does not include a gap. Meanwhile, the elastic element 128 in this example takes the form of an elastic sock made of a material that is flexible yet rigid enough to retain its shape. In other words, the elastic element 128 is made of a material that allows the user to manipulate it, for example, when inserting or removing objects from the storage compartments 129, but returns the elastic element 128 to its original position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, when released. In other examples, wallet 106 may include additional, fewer, and / or different components. For example, wallet 106 may use a rigid element instead of elastic element 128 to connect the first and second panels 120, 124. Another example is that wallet 106 may not include cut 140 and / or cut 142. As mentioned earlier, wallet 106 can be removably attached to platform 104. Therefore, when desired (for example, when the user wishes to carry wallet 106 and any items stored in it with the mobile electronic device 108), wallet 106 can be attached to platform 104, as illustrated in Figure 2. In this example, wallet 106 can be attached to platform 104 by manipulating wallet 106 so that the opening 138 of wallet 106 slides into platform 104 along a longitudinal axis 144 of platform 104. Conversely, when desired, wallet 106 can be detached from platform 104 in a similar but opposite manner, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.As an example, the user may wish to detach wallet 106 to reduce the profile of mobile electronic device 108, to remove objects from wallet 106, or to charge mobile electronic device 108 using the wireless charging device 144 shown in Figure 3. In any case, in this example, wallet 106 can be detached from platform 104 by manipulating wallet 106 so that platform 104 slides out of the recess 138 along the longitudinal axis 144. In other examples, wallet 106 can be attached to or detached from platform 104 in a different way. For example, wallet 106 can be removably attached to platform 104 using a magnetic coupling, as described in more detail below. Figure 4 illustrates another example of an accessory assembly 400 constructed according to the present description. Accessory assembly 400 is similar to accessory assembly 100, with common components illustrated with common reference characters, but also includes a fastening accessory 404 that can be removably attached to, permanently attached to, or integrally formed with wallet 106. A more detailed description of such fastening accessories, which can be used, for example, as a docking accessory and for use as a fastener and support for a mobile electronic device, can be found in U.S. Common Property Patent No. 8,560,031, the full description of which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, however, the fastening accessory 404 can be implemented using structures.For example, the gripping accessory can be implemented using a ring that is hinged to the 106 wallet so that a user can attach the accessory by inserting one or more fingers into an opening formed by the ring. Other examples of structures that can be used to form the 404 accessory include elastic loop straps or hinged lever supports. In each case, it should be noted that the 404 gripping accessory is structured to provide a means by which a user can grip, hold, and support a mobile electronic device with one hand. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate another example of a 500 accessory kit constructed according to the present description. The 500 accessory kit is similar to the 100 accessory kit, with common components illustrated with common reference characters, but differs in the manner described below. First, platform 504, although otherwise similar, has a structure that differs from platform 104. Like platform 104, platform 504 is oval-shaped. However, unlike platform 104, platform 504 includes a recessed portion 545 (recessed relative to the second surface 516, which, like the second surface 116, faces outward, away from the movable electronic device 108 when platform 504 is attached to the movable electronic device 108) and a plurality of teeth 546 extending outward from the recessed portion 545 on or near a perimeter edge of platform 504. In this example, the plurality of teeth 546 extends outward, away from the movable electronic device 108 when platform 504 is attached to the movable electronic device 108. Secondly, the 506 wallet has a structure that differs from the 106 wallet. Specifically, the 506 wallet includes a 538 slot that is different from the 138 slot. The 538 slot, like the 138 slot, is generally shaped to fit the 504 deck, so it is configured to receive and removably retain the 504 deck. However, unlike the 138 slot, the 538 slot includes a 550 channel that opens into an oval-shaped portion, 554. The 550 channel is generally configured to slide into the first surface, 516, of the 504 deck, which has a substantially rectangular profile. In this example, channel 550 is a rectangular channel that receives the first surface 516. However, it should be noted that channel 550 and the first surface 516 can take a different shape (for example, a circular shape).In addition, the 506 wallet also includes a plurality of 548 slots formed adjacent to the 550 channel of the 506 wallet to receive the plurality of 546 teeth of the 504 platform. Furthermore, wallet 506 is attached to platform 504 differently than wallet 106 is attached to platform 104. Like wallet 106, wallet 506 can be loosely attached to platform 504 by manipulating wallet 506 so that slot 538 of wallet 506 slides into platform 504. However, unlike wallet 106, wallet 506 is manipulated so that slot 538 slides into platform 504 along a transverse axis 545 of platform 504, as illustrated in Figure 5. In other words, wallet 506 slides in a horizontal direction to position platform 504 in slot 538, rather than in a vertical direction (as is the case for positioning platform 104 in slot 138).The plurality of teeth 546 then moves to engage with the plurality of grooves 548 in the wallet 506 (for example, by aligning the teeth 546 with the grooves 548), as illustrated in Figure 6, thereby securely joining the platform 504 to the wallet 506 (and vice versa). In other instances, however, the platform 504 may be securely attached to the wallet 506 by other mechanical locking means (for example, threads, hook-and-loop fasteners). Conversely, when desired, the wallet 106 may be separated from the platform 104 in a similar but opposite manner. Finally, although not illustrated here, it will be appreciated that a fastening accessory such as Fastening Accessory 404 can be removably attached to, permanently attached to, or integrally formed with Wallet 506. Referring now to Figure 7, a modality of Wallet 106 is depicted in which the security element 700 takes the form of one or more magnetic elements (e.g., one or more magnets or metallic components (e.g., steel rings)) integrated into Platform 104, and in which Wallet 106 is integrated with or otherwise securely connected to Platform 104. In this example, the platform is sized according to the dimensions of Wallet 106 and may consist of a back or rear panel of Wallet 106. Furthermore, in this example, the mobile electronic device 108 comprises one or more integrated magnets 710. As such, Wallet 106 is configured to be magnetically attached to Device 108 when it approaches close enough for a magnetic attraction to form between Security Element 700 and the integrated magnets 710 of Device 108.As shown, the 106 wallet can be configured with or without the aforementioned 404 clamping accessory. Figures 8A and 8B depict another configuration of accessory assembly 800, showing a wallet 106 with a clamping accessory 404 and a magnetic platform 104, as described above. In particular, Figure 8A depicts an outer side of the wallet 106 with the attached clamping accessory 404. In this embodiment, the wallet does not include a cutout, as described above. Figure 8B depicts an inner side of assembly 800, in which the security element 700 comprises a ring-based portion and a separate alignment portion, each of which may be composed of metal or magnets. The alignment portion can be used to ensure parallel alignment between the phone / case and the wallet. In this embodiment, the security element 700 is integrated with the platform 104, wherein the platform 104 comprises a back or rear panel of the wallet 106.As such, the 106 wallet can magnetically attach to a mobile electronic device or case when the 104 platform is brought near a mobile device or case equipped with one or more magnetic elements, as described above. In this mode, items (e.g., cards) are inaccessible while the wallet is attached to a device or case. Instead, the wallet can be removed from the mobile device or case to reveal a finger-push area. From there, items inside the wallet can be attached and pushed upward. This direction eliminates the front-facing cutouts, potentially allowing for more uniform RFID shielding. Referring now to Figures 9A and 9B, another example is shown in which the clamping accessory 404 (shown in a collapsed configuration) can be interchanged from the wallet 106, such as by rotating the clamping accessory 404 relative to the wallet 106 in a coupled and uncoupled manner. In one embodiment, the clamping accessory 404 is configured to couple with a corresponding coupling mechanism 900 that is integrated into the wallet 106, as shown in Figure 9A. In one example, the interchangeable clamping accessory 404 and the coupling mechanism 900 can be configured according to the various locking and connecting mechanisms described in U.S. Patent No. 10,348,352, filed May 30, 2018, the full description of which is incorporated herein by reference.However, other joining mechanisms can be used in a similar way, including ring clasps, T-channels, hook and loop fasteners, etc. Figure 9A shows the clamping fitting 404 separated from the coupling mechanism 900 and the wallet 106, while Figure 9B shows the clamping fitting 404 in an attached state. Furthermore, the platform 104 in Figures 9A and 9B is substantially similar to the platform 104 in Figures 8A and 8B described above. As used here, any reference to “a modality” or “modality” means that a particular element, aspect, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the modality is included in at least one modality. Occurrences of the phrase “in a modality” in various places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same modality. Some modalities can be described using the expression "coupled" and "connected," along with its derivatives. For example, some modalities can be described using the term "coupled" to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, the term "coupled" can also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact. The modalities are not limited in this context. As used in this document, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” or any variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly mentioned or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, “or” refers to an inclusive or, not an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). Additionally, the use of "a" or "an" to describe the elements and components of the modalities in this description is simply for convenience and to provide a general sense of the various modalities. This description should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is obvious that it means otherwise. It will be appreciated that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and / or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated in relation to other elements to aid in understanding various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. The same reference numbers may be used to describe like or similar parts. In addition, while several examples have been described herein, any feature of any example may be combined with or replaced by features from other examples.Furthermore, although several examples have been described in this document, changes can be made to the described examples without departing from the scope of the claims. Experts in the field will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the modalities described above without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations should be considered within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. An accessory assembly for a mobile electronic device comprising: a platform, having a first side and an opposing second side, the platform comprising one or more magnetic elements configured to magnetically attach the platform directly or indirectly to a mobile electronic device along the first side; a wallet integrated into or attached to the second side of the platform, wherein the wallet is configured to hold one or more items associated with a user of the accessory; and a fastening accessory configured to attach to the wallet, wherein the fastening accessory is configured to be portable to support the accessory assembly and the mobile electronic device when magnetically attached to the platform.

2. The accessory assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more magnetic elements comprise one or more individual magnets.

3. The accessory assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more magnetic elements are configured to attach the platform to a mobile electronic device comprising at least one integrally formed magnet.

4. The accessory assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more magnetic elements have a circular shape.

5. The accessory assembly according to claim 4, wherein one or more magnetic elements are arranged along a circular periphery.

6. The accessory assembly according to claim 5, further comprising an alignment element arranged separately from one or more of the magnetic elements.

7. The accessory assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening accessory is configured to be detachably attached to the wallet by means of a fastening mechanism.

8. The accessory assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening accessory comprises one of a ring, accordion, elastic loop strap or hinged lever support structure.

9. The accessory assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wallet comprises a first panel and a second panel that together define one or more storage compartments sized to hold one or more items associated with the user of the accessory.

10. The accessory assembly according to claim 9, wherein the wallet further comprises an elastic element connecting the first and second panels.

11. The accessory assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and first and second edges extending between the first end and the second end.

12. The accessory assembly according to claim 11, wherein an elastic element connects the first and second edges of the second panel with at least a portion of the first and second edges, respectively, of the first panel.

13. The accessory assembly according to claim 12, wherein the elastic element defines a plurality of storage compartments sized to contain one or more objects.

14. The accessory assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a cut extending through at least one of the first panel and the second panel.

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