Ring-based fixing system for mobile devices with variably narrowing channels and friction fixing

Abstract

Fixing system for mobile devices characterized by a sliding unit with hollow channels through which one or more cords are guided, wherein the sliding unit has an inwardly tapered shape of the hollow channels which creates a braking effect and thereby enables a firm hold of the sliding unit on the cord in any position, and additionally has an internal through-opening.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device for mobile devices, in particular an accessory which, through a specially designed sliding unit, enables both safe handling of the device and a comfortable carrying option around the neck or on the hand.

[0002] Mobile devices such as small appliances, handheld tools, scanners, e-readers, tablets, mobile phones, and especially smartphones are typically held by hand. If you only want to briefly put the device down and perform another small task with your occupied hand, you must either put the device down or attach it to something else, such as a necklace. Fixing systems for mobile phones, and especially smartphones, come in a wide variety of designs. These range from necklaces and wrist straps to loops and rigid or elastic bands attached to the back of the smartphone, furniture knob-like holders, and elastic finger grips. Ring-based finger grips, in particular, are widely used for smartphones to ensure secure and comfortable handling.Besides finger ring holders connected to the smartphone via threads, ring systems attached directly to the back of the smartphone have become increasingly popular. Examples can be found in publications CN103973849, JP2015128273, KR102022114663, KR20201800246U, KR102019105472, KR102019011932, KR101866881, KR101967070, KR101965565, KR102014003807, and US11552667.

[0003] The basic functionality of the sliding unit according to the invention roughly corresponds to the functionality of commercially available so-called cord stoppers or grip stoppers. The holding function of such stoppers is always achieved by a mechanically movable clamping system. Spring-based clamping systems are the most widespread, but there are also clamping wheel and clamping wedge-based systems.

[0004] All the listed holding and fixing systems can improve the carrying comfort and handling of smartphones and other mobile devices, but briefly releasing the hand without putting the device down is only possible to a limited extent. Therefore, the invention aims to improve both the transportability and the safe handling of the devices, further enhancing carrying comfort while simultaneously enabling sufficient fixation of the devices and allowing the hands to be briefly freed for parallel manual tasks. This should allow carrying and holding with only one or two fingers. A suitable distance between the carrying finger and the device being held should be easily achieved with just one finger.

[0005] The problem according to claim 1 was solved by using a fixing system according to the invention for mobile devices and in particular for smartphones, characterized in that it uses a multifunctional sliding unit with hollow channels. One or more cords are guided through the hollow channels, the sliding unit having an inwardly tapered shape of the hollow channels, which creates a braking effect and thereby enables a firm hold of the sliding unit on the cord in any position. According to claim 1, the sliding unit additionally has an internal through-opening for receiving a finger.

[0006] The sliding unit, as described in claim 2, is characterized by one or more protrusions in the hollow channels. According to the invention, the diameter of the hollow channels is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cord to prevent uncontrolled slippage of the cord, while still allowing for easy movement with a finger. The protrusion(s), the narrowing of the hollow channels, and the smaller diameter of the hollow channels compared to the diameter of the cord serve to increase friction or compression of the cord passing through them, thus securely fixing the mobile device in different positions.To meet the mechanical requirements placed on the sliding unit, it is preferably constructed according to claim 7 using resistant, durable, and robust plastics with high impact resistance and durability, such as polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or thermoplastic polyurethane, which are available in many colors and bio-based or recycled options. The sliding unit can be designed in a wide variety of basic geometric shapes. The basic shape can be a flat cuboid, ellipsoidal cylindrical, or prismatic design with hollow channels on the outer faces. A particularly preferred shape is the torus shape, as it fulfills the ergonomic requirements especially well.

[0007] According to claim 3, the cords guided through the hollow channels can be made of flexible material such as woven fabrics of natural or artificial textile fibers, leather or metal braiding, or elastic solid or hollow plastic or rubber. Depending on the intended application, the cords can have a length between 5 and 200 cm and may optionally be guided in a loop to prevent loss due to slippage. Alternatively, cords with open ends can be used; in this case, the cords must have a thickened end to prevent the sliding unit from slipping through and which can optionally serve as decorative elements. The cords are made of durable materials and are available in a variety of colors to meet aesthetic requirements.Alternatively, they can be made from organic materials, corresponding to naturally available wool types, or recycled materials. When selecting the cord material, care should be taken to ensure that excessive dirt does not accumulate in and on the braiding material or the cord surface over time, as this could negatively affect its friction and braking properties in relation to the sliding material. To use the system as a mobile phone lanyard, the cord should be sufficiently long to allow it to be easily slipped over the head. Furthermore, the anchor point of the fastening system should be positioned above the mobile device's center of gravity.

[0008] The internal through-opening according to claim 4 is of particular importance with regard to finger-guided handling. The internal through-opening of the sliding unit should have a diameter of 1 to 4 cm to accommodate one or two fingers. Furthermore, it must have an ergonomic rounded edge to protect the fingers from unpleasant pressure. In addition to using one sliding unit, the fixing system can include several sliding units to hold heavier devices or to increase the stability of the holding device.

[0009] The cutouts in the sliding unit according to claim 5, which control the frictional resistance and are very finely adjustable in terms of shape, size, and number, allow for the setting and maintenance of an optimal balance between braking force and sliding motion. If the sliding unit is moved very intensively, resulting in an increased temperature and a significant decrease in the coefficient of friction, the cutouts also serve to improve heat distribution to ensure the cord's grip. In addition to their purely functional role, the cutouts also enhance the design and can be customized according to taste, aesthetics, or current fashion.

[0010] The invention not only fulfills functional tasks, but, depending on the area of ​​application, it can also fulfill a playful aspect, as described in claim 6. It can be understood and used as a modern interpretation of the rosary, which is widespread in southern Catholic and Catholic-Orthodox cultures, or similar to prayer beads in Islam and other religions. For example, in mobile phone holders, where the sliding unit is continuously and repeatedly moved along the cord, it can have a calming effect on the user and is executed intuitively or automatically, corresponding to the movement of rosary or prayer bead beads.

[0011] To ensure the longevity of the fixing system or the sliding unit according to claim 7, the use of resistant, durable, and robust plastics with high impact resistance and durability, such as polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or thermoplastic polyurethane, is preferable. These materials are available in many colors and, optionally, in biodegradable or recycled options.

[0012] Exemplary mobile phone holding devices according to claim 8 can be characterized in that they have a sliding unit which is made of one or more materials in combination, wherein the sliding unit can consist of several components which are each made of different materials such as plastic, metal, silicone or rubber in order to achieve specific properties such as flexibility, durability, grip or a special aesthetic.

[0013] Furthermore, such mobile phone holding device according to claim 9 can be equipped with a sliding unit which can have different surface structures, wherein certain areas or the entire surface of the sliding unit is provided with grooved, studded, smooth or other tactile textures to improve grip, vary the haptic experience and enable aesthetic differentiation.

[0014] Furthermore, the mobile phone holding device according to claim 10 can be characterized by a sliding unit which is either manufactured as a one-piece component in a single manufacturing step or is manufactured from several individual parts and can then be joined to form a unit.

[0015] The following illustrations will be used. Fig. 1a to Fig. 1f The principle structure or the principle function is illustrated using images. Fig. Figure 1a shows, for example, the fixing system on a smartphone with direct contact of the sliding unit to the phone. Fig. Figure 1b shows the use with hand in phone usage mode. Fig. 1c shows the moving unit away from the mobile device. Fig. Figure 1d shows the holding process with only one finger and a largely free hand for alternative small tasks. Fig. 1e shows wearing the smartphone around the neck and Fig. 1f on the wrist.

[0016] The functionality of the displacement unit according to the invention is described in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b is explained in more detail as a schematic drawing. The following illustration is only schematic and not to scale. It serves to illustrate and explain the basic principles of the components and devices according to the invention, whereby any modifications that lead to similar results are not excluded and are included according to the invention. Fig. 2a represents the horizontal section and Fig. 2b the top view. The components of the schematic drawing are explained below with reference to points 1 to 7. 1 represents the sliding unit, the basic structure of which is formed by a torus 2. The hollow channels 3a and 3b are guided laterally. The through-opening 4 is centered. The hollow channel narrowing 5 is only slightly pronounced. The numerous cutouts 6 extend along the hollow channels 3a and 3b. Further protrusions 7 are distributed in the channel runs depending on the embodiment. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 103973849

[0002] JP 2015128273

[0002] KR 102022114663

[0002] KR 20201800246U

[0002] KR 102019105472

[0002] KR 102019011932

[0002] KR 101866881

[0002] KR 101967070

[0002] KR 101965565

[0002] KR 102014003807

[0002] US 11552667

[0002]

Claims

[1] Fixation system for mobile devices characterized by a sliding unit with hollow channels through which one or more cords are guided, wherein the sliding unit has an inwardly tapered shape of the hollow channels, which creates a braking effect and thereby enables a firm hold of the sliding unit on the cord in any position, and additionally has an internal through-opening. [2] Displacement unit according to claim 1, characterized by one and / or more elevations in the hollow channels and / or a diameter of the hollow channels that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cord in order to prevent uncontrolled slipping of the cord, but does not make it difficult to move it with the finger. [3] Cords according to claim 1, characterized byCords made of flexible material such as woven fabrics made of natural or artificial textile fibers, leather or metal braids, elastic plastic or rubber solid or hollow material, whereby the cords have a length between 5 and 200 cm and are guided in a loop or have a thickened end at their open ends which prevents slipping through the sliding unit and / or functions as decorative elements. [4] Internal passage opening according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an internal through-opening of the sliding unit, which has a diameter of 1 to 4 cm and is ergonomically rounded to protect the fingers from unpleasant pressure loads, whereby the fixation system can comprise several sliding units in order to hold heavier devices and / or to increase the stability of the holding device. [5] Displacement unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by Cutouts in the sliding unit that control frictional resistance and / or increase heat distribution to optimize cord hold. [6] Fixation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a playful aspect, for example in mobile phone holders, where the sliding unit can be moved continuously and repeatedly along the cord, which has a calming effect on the user and is carried out intuitively or automatically. [7] Displacement unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the use of resistant, durable and robust plastics with high impact resistance and durability such as polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or thermoplastic polyurethane, which are available in many colors and / or biological and / or recycled options. [8] Mobile phone holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sliding unit made of one or more materials in combination, whereby the sliding unit can consist of several components, each made of different materials such as plastic, metal, silicone or rubber in order to achieve specific properties such as flexibility, durability, grip or a particular aesthetic. [9] Mobile phone holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sliding unit that can have different surface structures, with certain areas or the entire surface of the sliding unit being provided with grooved, nubbed, smooth or other tactile textures to improve grip, vary the haptic experience and enable aesthetic differentiation. [10] Mobile phone holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sliding unit that is either manufactured as a single component in a single production step or is manufactured from several individual parts and can then be joined together to form a unit.

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