Belt Clip Holder

Abstract

An improved belt-clip holder for various objects is disclosed. The holder may be of unitary construction and includes a belt-clip for securely attaching the holder to a user's belt or other suitable item. The unitary construction reduces the cost and complexity of the holder. The holder has front, back and side panels to hold and protect an object, such as a dipping tobacco tin, or a group of objects, such as a group of credit cards. The holder also may have bottom panels in some embodiments. A retainer, having an integral retaining lip, secures the held object or objects in the holder. A cavity formed by the lower edges of the front, back, and side panels, allows a user to push a held object upward in order to remove the object from the holder. The retainer is configured so that a user my disengage the integral retaining lip using the same hand used to push the held object upward via the cavity. In this manner, the holder allows for the secure retention of an object within the holder, and also for easy, single-handed, removal of the object by a user when such removal is desired.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a holder for a dipping tobacco tin, or other small, cylindrical objects, and for small square or rectangular objects.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0002]Belt-clip holders are well known in the art. Cell phones are commonly held by such holders. By including retaining structures, belt-clip devices can securely hold an object. Unfortunately, belt-clip devices are relatively complex, with numerous parts and pieces, making such designs a poor choice for some applications. The complexity of such designs adds cost and reduces the robustness of the holder. In addition, belt-clip devices with retaining structures often require considerable effort to undo the retaining structure and remove the held device.[0003]Belt-clip holders known in the art tend to rely on one of three means for retaining the held object. Some holders rely on the snug fit of the object in the holder. An example of such a holder might be a cell phone belt-clip...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]Belt-clip holders are well known in the art. Cell phones are commonly held by such holders. By including retaining structures, belt-clip devices can securely hold an object. Unfortunately, belt-clip devices are relatively complex, with numerous parts and pieces, making such designs a poor choice for some applications. The complexity of such designs adds cost and reduces the robustness of the holder. In addition, belt-clip devices with retaining structures often require considerable effort to undo the retaining structure and remove the held device.

[0003]Belt-clip holders known in the art tend to rely on one of three means for retaining the held object. Some holders rely on the snug fit of the object in the holder. An example of such a holder might be a cell phone belt-clip holder using an elastic material for side panels, such that when a cell phone is placed in the holder, the elastic panels create a snug fit around the phone. This means of securing the held object works in some situations, but it does not provide much security. While this configuration allows for easy removal of the held object, it also allows for theft or loss of the object in some situations.

[0004]Some belt-clip holders use a strap of some sort across the top of the held object. An example might be a cell phone of wireless e-mail device holder made of leather or other similar material and having a small leather strap with a snap or other closure system. When a device is placed in such a holder, the user would then position the retaining strap over the device and snap it closed. To remove the device the strap must be unsnapped. This configuration provides for security, but it results in additional parts and also requires effort and focus to secure the device and to remove the device. Moreover, if a user simply inserts the device into this type of holder and forgets to secure the retaining strap, the device may easily fall out of the holder.

[0005]A third common retaining means is a retaining clip or member attached to the back of the holder. An example might be a cell phone holder that has a back panel and only partial side and / or bottom panels shaped to fit a specific phone. This type of holder is commonly used, and typically has a retaining clip that fits into a mated slot or groove on the top, back side of the cell phone. These holders provide reasonable security, because of the fit between the clip and the mated slot or groove on the phone.

[0012]An improved means of carrying a tin of dipping tobacco or other object is needed. The object should be securely held while in the holder and should be carried on the user's person or clothing so that the product is available when the user desires it. The holder should protect the object from damage and should allow for easy removal by the user. The holder should be robust and capable of withstanding the rigors of the environment in which the product would be used. It would be most desirable for the holder to be capable of securely holding an object, and allowing for removal of the object using a single hand. It would be advantageous if the holder would securely hold the object as soon as it is inserted into the holder, without requiring any additional actions by the user. It also would be beneficial for the holder to be inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, belt-clip devices are relatively complex, with numerous parts and pieces, making such designs a poor choice for some applications.

The complexity of such designs adds cost and reduces the robustness of the holder.

In addition, belt-clip devices with retaining structures often require considerable effort to undo the retaining structure and remove the held device.

This means of securing the held object works in some situations, but it does not provide much security.

While this configuration allows for easy removal of the held object, it also allows for theft or loss of the object in some situations.

This configuration provides for security, but it results in additional parts and also requires effort and focus to secure the device and to remove the device.

Moreover, if a user simply inserts the device into this type of holder and forgets to secure the retaining strap, the device may easily fall out of the holder.

There are, however, a number of problems with this third configuration.

First, the holder does not provide any protection for the front of the held object.

Cell phones carried in this type of holder can be scratched or more seriously damaged by being hit from the front.

Second, it can be quite difficult to remove a phone from this type of holder.

The retaining clip is often difficult to release, and can require two hands for removal, making it a difficult and potentially dangerous operation.

Attempting to remove a cell phone from such a holder while driving can be quite dangerous.

Third, these holders must be mated to a specific object, typically a particular model of a cell phone.

They are useless as holders for any other objects.

Though belt-clip holders are commonly used for cell phones, this type of holder is not widely used for another item commonly carried on the person of its users.

When a tin of dipping tobacco is carried in a user's back pocket, the tin can become damaged and can cause discomfort when sitting.

This practice also can lead to marking of a user's clothing.

This wear can result in tearing of the fabric of the back pocket over time.

Carrying a tin of dipping tobacco in one's back pocket also poses a risk that the tin will be forcibly moved around and may inadvertently open while in the user's pocket.

When this happens, product is lost, and the user's clothing may be stained by the dark-colored tobacco.

If a user with a tin of dipping tobacco in his or her back pocket perspires, the moisture of the perspiration may enter the tin, if its lid does not seal well.

The lids of these tins are thin, and may also be damaged if the tin strikes a sharp object.

This type of damage could result in loss of the tobacco, as well.

Dipping tobacco users also face problems when they carry the tins in shirt or jacket pockets.

If a tin is carried in a shirt pocket, the tin may fall out if the person bends over to pick up something or to tie a shoe.

A tin of dipping tobacco placed in a shirt pocket during such activities would likely fall out at some point.

Carrying a tin of dipping tobacco in a jacket pocket is only convenient when the user is wearing a jacket, and, even then, the tin may not be securely maintained.

Existing solutions do not meet these needs.

As explained above, carrying a tin of dipping tobacco in the pocket of one's pants, shirt, or jacket poses a number of problems.

Belt-clip holders are known for a variety of objects, including dipping tobacco tins, but the prior art holders fail to meet all the needs identified above.

The belt-clip holders of the prior art provide certain advantages, but none meet the combination of needs listed above.

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